DOTING uncle Mike Pidd is about to walk 72 miles along the Dales Way – setting off from Ilkley – as a thank you to neo-natal staff who helped save his tiny nephew born 16 weeks premature.

Mr Pidd, 31, who works as a security supervisor at Yeadon-based Jet2.com, will be joined on the walk by his dog Opal and friend Dave Hughes, also 31, of St James Terrace in Horsforth.

The trio set off on on the fundraising challenge on September 29 and plan to average 18 miles a day until they reach Bowness. They hope to raise £500 and have been squeezing in training between work shifts. But it has not been easy, Mr Pidd revealed, because of Leeds Bradford Airport's busiest season.

"We have been doing our best to make sure we get some training in but it's been a bit of a squeeze!" he said.

Mr Pidd's nephew, Jack Gibson, weighed just 1lb 7oz when he arrived at Bradford Royal Infirmary after an emergency dash from Scarborough where his mum, Helen Gibson, was visiting her parents.

He spent nine weeks and two days being cared for in the neo-natal department, and the first few were touch and go, added Mr Pidd, of Thorpe Edge in Bradford.

Mr Pidd said his sister, Helen Gibson, 29, who lives in Harrogate, had been having a few complications during her pregnancy, including being hospitalised with morning sickness and then being diagnosed with gestational diabetes before her waters broke in Scarborough.

"They had to rush her by ambulance to Bradford because Scarborough Hospital did not have the equipment to cope with such an early baby," he said. "It was touch and go for a few days after he was born, but he's a fantastic little guy now – he's going on for 18 months old.

"The care Jack and our family got from the neo-natal department was amazing. They could not do enough to help us – they were fantastic. We could never repay them for what they did for us but I hope by doping this walk and raising funds for the department, it will say a big thank you."

The intrepid trio will be staying in bed and breakfast establishments along the way, hoping to collect more funds from well-wishers en route.

They hope to arrive in Bowness on October 2.

Anyone who would like to donate should go to their justgiving.com/Dave-Hughes15 Justgiving page.

Bradford Hospitals' charity fundraiser, Hayley Collis, said: "The funds and donations are much needed as we are continuing to support the newly-refurbished neonatal department’s bereavement suite to make them feel more homely. It's a lovely gesture from Mike and his friends."