GENEROUS mother Sue Carvey wanted to do something special when it came to marking her 40th birthday.

She decided not to mark the occasion in the usual fashion, but to help babies in the special care baby unit at the Friarage Hospital, Northallerton, instead.

Mrs Carvey, from Entercommon, near Northallerton, wanted to help the unit to say thank you for the care the devoted staff gave to her daughter, Katie, now seven, who was in the unit as a baby.

The unit, which looks after tiny babies who are poorly or born prematurely, received £450 thanks to family and friends who made a donation rather than giving Mrs Carvey birthday presents.

Sister Anne Wall said: "We were delighted to welcome Sue and Katie back to the unit, and it was lovely to see them both again.

"It was thoughtful of Sue to think of us, and a very generous gesture to give up her birthday gifts to help us.

"We will use the money to provide extra comforts to help the babies we care for and their families."