TWO six-year-old girls who were born 10 weeks premature fought for their lives when they first entered the world.

Grace Peacock, from Hindsford, only weighed 3lb 11oz and Ellie McKenna, of Tyldesley, was tiny at 2lb 2oz.

They spent weeks in hospital before they were allowed to go home.

The pair are now best friends and have no health problems.

But during the period when Grace and Ellie were attached to life-support machines, their parents were naturally worried.

Leigh Journal:

Sarah Peacock with her daughter Grace when she was born

Bliss, a national charity, helps families who have babies born premature or sick.

After talking about the charity, the friends along with their parents and other family members, organised a walk from Tyldesley to Atherton to raise awareness of the cause.

They took a large Bliss banner, glow sticks, Christmas lights and balloons with them.

Leigh Journal:

Leigh Journal:

During the walk on Monday

Leigh Journal:

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Grace's mum Sarah, 37, was diagnosed with PTSD years after her daughter was born.

She said: "When I had Grace it was a shock dealing with everything.

"We want Bliss to help with families that went through the horrible experiences that we went through. The work that the charity does is extremely important.

"When you are pregnant you do not expect the baby to come 10 weeks early and I wish I would have known about the charity and so I could have had their support then.

"Eve and I love our special girls. They are bright girls and we are immensely proud of them."

Although Sarah was unaware of Bliss, Ellie's mum A&E doctor Eve was given help by the charity.

Sarah and Eve are also full of praise for residents who they passed on the hour-long walk on Monday, a day after World Prematurity Day.

Leigh Journal:

Leigh Journal:

Sarah said: "It was amazing. People were so generous with their donations and people were asking us why we were doing it and drivers were beeping their horns.

"A lot of people had not heard about the charity which was the reason we wanted to do it so we could raise awareness."

Sarah has also thanked friends and family for their donations as well as Wigan Road Methodist Church in Leigh, which also handed over money.

Overall, more than £150 was raised.