FAMILY and friends of an RAF serviceman who was killed during the Iraq War have raised £40,000 in his memory.

Peter McFerran, from Connah's Quay, was killed in an insurgency rocket attack in Basra in 2007, aged just 24.

Every year since, his family and friends walk from Connah’s Quay to the Countess of Chester’s neonatal unit, whose staff saved Peter when he was born eight weeks prematurely, weighing just 4lb 9oz, on November 26, 1983.

The walk, which is on November 26 every year, is the journey Peter’s mother Ann made when she went into labour, and raises money for the hospital’s neonatal unit.

This is to pay tribute to the unit for giving them 24 precious years with Peter.

Since the appeal was launched, they have raised about £40,000 for the Countess of Chester Hospital charity.

On their latest walk, Peter’s family and friends were shown around the neonatal unit and they are delighted to hear that plans for a new £2.6m unit have been given the go-ahead.

Past and present members of Peter's RAF 1 squadron travelled up from their base in Suffolk for the walk.

Alongside them was Peter’s sister Elaine, and his little 13-month-old niece Carys, his mother Ann and representatives from Connah’s Quay Salvation Army.

His father Robert said: ‘’We are keeping Peter’s memory alive, that was something I promised him I’d do if anything was to happen to him while on active duty.

‘’We are immensely proud of everything he achieved, and we miss him every day. But we wouldn’t have had 24 precious years with him if not for the staff at the Countess’ neonatal unit, this is why we fundraise for them.

‘’We are absolutely delighted to see plans have been accepted for the new unit.’’