THE family of a baby who was born without kidneys put their best feet forward yesterday to raise money for the hospital unit which cares for her.

One-year-old Alice Skinner, from Hartlepool, has endured six life-saving operations and has to have ten hours of dialysis every day because she is still too tiny to be given a kidney transplant.

Yesterday, carried by her father George, 32, she took part in a sponsored walk in Great Ayton, just over the North Yorkshire border from Middlesbrough, to raise money for the children's kidney unit at Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary.

Her mother, Nicola Andrews, 31, said: "Alice is a totally happy little girl. The only time she gets upset is when she sees doctors and nurses coming towards her.

"But the staff at the RVI have been fantastic - we couldn't fault them at all.

"They are there all the time for you, day or night."

Alice's family, including her sister Lucy, 13, raised about £1,000, which will be divided between the RVI's kidney unit and the North-East Kidney Patients' Association.

They have organised another fundraising event, at Hartlepool Police Station, on Saturday, July 20, and are appealing for raffle or auction prizes to be donated.

Anyone who can help can call them on (01429) 260239.