YOUNGSTERS dressed in their best toff tot finery as they raised money for premature baby care.

Dizzy on delicious sweet treats, children and their parents enjoyed an afternoon of dancing, games, facepainting and an appearance from kids’ favourite Paw Patrol.

Parent Facebook support group 50 Shades of Mum organised the eagerly-awaited children’s black-tie event.

Tickets for the event sold out in an astonishing 24-hours, with 50 youngsters aged six months to nine years descending on the Pinetrees Community Centre on Saturday afternoon.

The idea for the event was only conceived last month, said organiser Steph Owen.

The Gorse Hill mum-of-two, who first suggested the Facebook group’s off-beat name, said: “I’ve only met most of these girls twice. We all wanted to do something good.”

The event raised an estimated £600 for the Great Western Hospital’s special care baby unit.

Lacey Loveridge said that the special care baby unit was a cause close to the event organisers’ hearts.

Almost a year-and-a-half ago her son, Freddie, was born at a terrifying 27 weeks. “It was scary,” said the 24-year-old.

The Penhill mum-of-two was rushed into surgery for an emergency caesarean. Premature Freddie was then cared for by staff on the special care baby unit. Lacey said: “They were amazing. If there was anything wrong they’d ring me straight away.”

Happily, Freddie is now doing well: “He’s such a happy boy, you’d never know he was born early.”

Dressed in a cherry-print frock, seven-year-old Grace Mallows said she was enjoying “playing with the other children”.

Mum Lorna Jarvis, 30, of Pinehurst said that Grace’s sister had been born premature – and was looked after on the special care baby unit. “I have got a hell of a lot of respect for them,” she said.

For more about 50 Shades of Mum, visit: www.facebook.com/groups/1453786508024207/.