When Matthew Bane was born he weighed little more than a pound, but after spending his first six months in hospital he has now gone home.

The tiny baby was born in May, at 26 weeks, when his mother Deborah had to undergo an emergency Caesarean due to complications.

But after months of dedicated treatment at the neonatal intensive care unit, he now weighs 12lb.

And his parents are supporting fundraising efforts to provide additional equipment for the hospital where he received his care.

A three-day push for donations to Bristol Children's Hospital's Grand Appeal will be held next week, when GWR presenters Bush and Troy will be broadcasting live from the site on December 11, 12 and 13, giving listeners more of an insight into the work that goes on there and in the NICU at St Michael's.

The Bane family benefited from the equipment provided by the Grand Appeal during Matthew's stay there.

The youngster is still on oxygen, but the dose has been reduced dramatically from his early days in the NICU.

His father Darren said: "We had superb support all round from the NICU and can't thank them enough.

"Without their care Matthew wouldn't be at home now.

"It's not just the medical care to the babies, but the emotional care to the parents as well, which is invaluable.

"There were times when we were in some very dark places and needed an arm around our shoulder and they would be able to put things in perspective.

"When we took Matthew for his first follow-up appointment he was pounced on by six or seven nurses wanting a cuddle."

Deborah was able to stay at the hospital when Matthew was first in the NICU so that she was near to her tiny baby, and when she first spent a night at the family home in Weston-super-Mare the nurses assured her that she could ring 20 times if she needed to check up on her son.

And since he returned home on Remembrance Sunday the care and support has continued.

There will be regular jabs to ensure he doesn't pick up the flu over the winter and Matthew will also be monitored by the Children's Hospital to make sure he stays healthy.

Darren, a press officer for Avon and Somerset police, said: "Matthew is doing really, really well, it's amazing.

"It is the best Christmas present for us to have Matthew home, and to have him doing so well is remarkable."

Bristol's Big Give is a joint initiative run by the Grand Appeal, University Hospital's Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the site, and GWR.

It is based on work carried out by an American charity, which has raised millions for hospitals, and is hoped to be a success in Bristol.

For more information, contact 927 3888 or visit www.bristolsbiggive.org.uk or www.gwrfmbristol.co.uk.