A ROUTINE pregnancy turned into a race against time when doctors told Fiona Lennon she and her baby could die.

With eight weeks to go until the expected birth, mother-to-be Fiona, 28, and her partner Alan Morris, 39, were told during a routine check-up that she needed emergency surgery.

Doctors diagnosed HELLP syndrome, a rare and sometimes fatal form of pre-eclampsia, that had affected Fiona's blood and liver.

After an emergency Caesarean operation, baby Samuel Morris was born eight weeks premature and weighing just 4lb 2oz at Southampton's Princess Anne Hospital.

Following the delivery Fiona, a customer accounts manager for NatWest Bank, recovered from the condition, which kills up to five mums a year.

Samuel spent five weeks in hospital before he could join his parents at home, and he is now doing well.

Now the couple are raising money to say thank you to staff at the neonatal unit at the Princess Anne Hospital.

"The service we received was fantastic," said Alan, a van sales rep. "They saved Fiona and Samuel's lives and gave so much personal support that we just have to say thank you."

The couple, of Orion Close, Lordshill, Southampton, also want to raise awareness of HELLP syndrome, and other forms of pre-eclampsia, which can kill up to 600 babies a year.

"We had never heard of HELLP syndrome before doctors told Fiona she had it," said Alan.

Mike Rich, from charity Action on Pre-eclampsia, said: "It's great that people are raising awareness for this complication that is still not publicised enough.

"Although HELLP syndrome is a fatal form of pre-eclampsia, milder forms of the complication also need more awareness."

Alan and Fiona are holding a fundraising evening tonight at the Dorchester Arms on Onslow Road, Southampton.

They have already raised £250 through raffle ticket sales, which include specially donated prizes of a giant-sized television, family days out, gym passes and free meals at some of Southampton's top restaurants.

Local band The Jupiter Few will also play at the pub, and the cost of entrance is £3 on the door.

All proceeds and donations from the night will go to the neonatal unit at the Princess Anne Hospital.