WHEN Kaycee Bates was born nine weeks early, doctors gave her 48 hours to live.

But this year the youngster celebrated her third birthday, perfected her trampolining skills and started nursery school.

Mum Donna Bates, from March, spent more than a month in hospital watching her daughter fight for life.

And now the 30-year-old is planning a 10-mile sponsored walk to raise money for the hospitals that saved Kaycee’s life.

She said: “When she was first born the doctors thought she wouldn’t make it through the next 48 hours. You wouldn’t think that, looking at her now.

“She’s just a normal child - a cheeky little monkey.”

Donna, who has three other children, was taken to Hinchingbrooke Hospital when her waters broke 13 weeks early. Kaycee was born four weeks later, weighing just 4lb 3oz.

“She breathed for about 15 minutes on her own and then she had to go on a machine,” said Donna.

“On the second night, they called me over to go and sit with Kaycee. There was a nurse who had to keep pressing a tube just to keep her alive.

“It was the longest night of my life.”

Days after the birth, Kaycee was transferred to Addenbrooke’s Hospital.

“They thought she might not survive the ambulance journey,” said Donna. “We were told to stay at Hinchingbrooke until we had heard she had arrived safely.

“The phone call came through from a lady in the ambulance who said she had arrived at the ‘rosy hotel’ - and my heart just leapt.”

Kaycee was sedated for five days before her condition began to stabilise. She was then transferred back to Hinchingbrooke, where she remained until she was four months old.

The youngster had to be given oxygen at home until she was two - but now she is enjoying a normal life.

Donna said: “She actually pulled through quicker than they thought she would. She was a real fighter.

“She didn’t start walking until she was nearly two but everything else has been fine - she certainly talks well for a three-year-old!

“Kaycee’s so happy now. She loves trampolining and she loves school. Every time she puts her coat on she asks if it’s time for school.”

Donna will be joined by Kaycee’s godmother Hayley North, and several other friends, for the sponsored walk on May 13. They are planning a 10-mile route from Chatteris to March.

The money raised will go to the special care baby unit at Hinchingbrooke and the neonatal intensive care unit and pediatric intensive care unit at Addenbrooke’s.

Donna said: “The hospital staff were just amazing. I’m not very good with words so I’m doing this to say thank you.

“We want to raise as much as possible and I’m hoping to get Kaycee to hand the money over because some of the staff haven’t seen her since she was in there.

“She’s unrecognisable now.”

To sponsor the walkers, contact organiser Hayley North on 07759463851.