A TEAM of football mums have raised more than £600 for a premature baby unit.

A team of Accrington-based women donated £610 to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Burnley General Teaching Hospital.

The group of 17 woman, whose children play for Globe Bullough Park junior football club in Accrington, began training every Thursday as a way of staying fit.

After playing several fundraising matches, the group nominated the NICU at Burnley General Teaching Hospital as their chosen charity.

Denise Gee fundraising manager for East Lancashire Hospital’s charity ELHT&me said she was delighted that the ladies chose to support the NICU ward and promised the funds raised will be very useful for upgrading and developing services above and beyond the NHS standard.

She said: “The team started as a chance for mums of children who play at Globe to understand the game and also to have fun and keep fit,” said Amanda Leach, whose son Nathan, nine, plays for the club’s Under-11s.

“We are very proud to be able to support our local NICU which provides excellent treatment and care for local mums and their babies.”