A WREXHAM couple have thanked the landlord of a popular local pub for donating money to a special care baby unit which saved their twin's lives.

Russell Richards and partner Martine Jeffrey, of Brynteg, are well known to landlord of the famous Wrexham AFC-associated pub, The Turf Hotel.

Landlord of The Turf, Wayne Jones, recently received a case of Aviation Gin from new co-owner of Wrexham AFC Ryan Reynolds.

The Leader:

And Wayne pledged to donate all the proceeds of the gin to local charitable causes - including to the Wrexham Maelor Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU)

This is because the unit holds a special place in the heart of long-term customer and friend, Russell Richards.

He and Martine were rushed to Arrowe Park Hospital's specialist neonatal unit in August when their twins, Stanley and Albert, were born at just 25 weeks after Martine contracted neonatal sepsis.

They weighed just 768 and 795 grams respectively, and Stanley had to be resuscitated three times during his first night.

Russell explained: "I remember the doctor asking me if I wanted to get Stanley blessed as he didn't think he'd make it through the night."

However Stanley defied the odds and after spending 13 weeks in Arrowe Park, the family was transferred to Wrexham Maelor's SCBU - where they spent four weeks before allowed home on November 30 - two days before Martine was originally due to give birth.

Russell said: "The care we received at both Arrowe Park and Wrexham Maelor was incredible, and without going there Stanley and Albert wouldn't be here now.

"Wayne at The Turf is a lovely lad who I've known for years now with me being a big Wrexham fan - it's great of him to donate some of the proceeds from the Aviation Gin to Wrexham Maelor's SCBU."

The Turf sold 16 bottles of Aviation Gin - raising nearly £1,300 (with the help of a few donations).

The pub subsequently donated £500 to Wrexham Foodbank, £500 to Home Start in Rhosddu and £300 to the SCBU at Wrexham Maelor Hospital.