Two dads who had children born prematurely at Stevenage’s Lister Hospital have raised almost £2,200 to help other little ones with a 12-hour rowathon.

The Comet: Andrew Hall, left, and Glyn Doggett at the end of the challenge.Andrew Hall, left, and Glyn Doggett at the end of the challenge. (Image: Archant)

Glyn Doggett and Andrew Hall, members of the Lister Neonatal Unit Families Group, hosted the fundraiser at the hospital entrance on Saturday, with rowing machines donated by Letchworth’s The Hub gym.

In the end the 9am to 9pm challenge far exceeded expectations, with a whopping £2,181 raised to help pay for vital equipment like breast pumps and kangaroo care chairs for mums.

Andrew, whose twins Noah and Olivia spent time in the unit in 2013, came up with the rowathon idea – and in the end he, Glyn and other volunteers rowed more than 121 miles – 195km.

He said: “I couldn’t be more proud of what Glyn and I have achieved here in not only raising money to assist the unit but also awareness. The countless number of people who stopped to talk with us and put money in the bucket was amazing, and we are truly humbled by how generous everyone was.”

The Comet: Glyn Doggett with his son Max, who was born three months early in 2013.Glyn Doggett with his son Max, who was born three months early in 2013. (Image: Archant)

Glyn, whose son Max was born at 28 weeks in 2013, added: “We were absolutely overwhelmed by the support on the day. We put out a call for volunteers to come along and help us with the rowing, and we had loads of people attend – including parents of children cared for on the unit, and even hospital staff and patients.

“I spoke to one of the parents who came along whose kids are now 10 and 13 – they both spent time in the neonatal unit and it’s an experience that has never left her

“She said she will always be grateful for the care her children and herself and husband received from the amazing team at the Lister.”

Glyn and Andrew presented a cheque for the total raised so far to the neonatal team on Tuesday – but there’s still time to donate. See justgiving.com/fundraising/NeonatalatListerHospital.