A PURBECK army wife whose baby son spent weeks fighting for life in Southampton Hospital’s neonatal unit has organised a charity event “to give something back to the people who saved him.”

Zachary Gallagher, who is now 17 weeks old, was born with gastroschisis, a type of hernia that causes the intestines to stick out of the body through a defect near the umbilical cord.

This condition meant Zachary spent his first tentative weeks of life in intensive care.

Mum Karley, aged 23, whose army husband is based at Lulworth Camp, explained: “In total we spent nine weeks in intensive care where he consistently fought for his life.

“The neonatal team were so amazing that we’d like to be able to give something back.”

With that in mind, Karley decided to organise an event at Lulworth Village Hall to raise funds for the hospital’s neonatal unit.

Zachary, Karley’s only child, weighed 5lb 4ozs when he was born, although the worried mum had been told to expect him to tip the scales at just 4lb.

“We found out about Zachary’s condition at the 12 week scan,” she explained.

“So we were transferred to Southampton for in-depth scans and consultations to prepare us for what to expect.

“Zachary was born at 36 weeks, where he was kept in intensive care for nine weeks.

“We nearly lost him numerous times.

“The neonatal team were always so amazing and without them he would have died so this fundraiser is me being able to give something back.”

Now she wants as many people as possible to attend her Lulworth village hall charity event on Saturday, November 24. It runs from 10am until noon and every penny goes towards the neonatal unit.

Karley said: “At the moment we have homemade stalls including homemade plaques, candles, jewellery, cosmetics, cakes, Christmas card making, clay moulding, raffles, lucky dips, face-painting, a bouncy castle and much more.”