A FOOTBALL crazy teenage girl and her brother have achieved their goal of aiding a hospital which helped them survive.

Fourteen-year-old Emily Bateman and her brother, Michael, both spent the first weeks of their lives at what was then South Cleveland Hospital, in Middlesbrough - Michael in 1989 and Emily in 1991.

Emily, who plays for the Marton girls' football club under-14s team, combined with Adam Hudson, a player from the Marton boy's under-16 team, to organise a charity football match between the two teams, charging players £5 each for the match.

Another enterprising youngster, Vikki Hutchinson, managed to get a football donated from Century FM, which was raffled.

A surprise awaited Emily and her dad, Keith, when they visited the former South Cleveland site, which is now known as James Cook, with a cheque for £175.

They arrived at the neo-natal unit to find Sister Rose Mary Lees, who looked after Michael when he was born 16 years ago.

Emily said: "Michael was ten weeks early and I was eight weeks early. We both spent quite a few weeks on the unit, and I wanted to find a way to say thank you."

Sister Rose Mary Lees said: "I remember looking after Michael, but I was off having a baby myself when Emily was here.

"I think Emily is fantastic for organising this.

"The money will help us buy life-saving equipment for the tiny and sick babies we look after here at James Cook."