A Dunmow art gallery owner has raised more than £1,000 for a hospital’s neo-natal unit after her grandson was born eight weeks prematurely.

Louise Poulton, who owns Gallery in the Park, was inspired to raise the money for the specialised unit at Broomfield Hospital, in Chelmsford, following the support and care that was provided to her grandson Mckenzie.

Mckenzie was born weighing just 4lb 4oz, which soon dropped to just 2lb 2oz.

Since his birth, Louise has offered display space at her gallery, in White Street, in return for a donation to the unit.

Artists pay £10 per week for a two-week slot at the gallery and they are required to donate 15 per cent of the selling price they achieve, which has seen Louise raise £1,125.

Louise’s daughter, Michaela Parker, said the hospital team went the extra mile following the birth of Mckenzie.

She said: “They were constantly checking every five minutes. If I needed anything, they were there.

“They were the same towards everybody in the family, and so flexible about visiting times because I had two other children at home and couldn’t drive after my emergency C-section. Mckenzie is thriving and he’s slowly catching up.”

Louise said: “The work that people do on the ward is amazing.

“Michaela had two other children at home and they were really doing a lot of extra care.”