THE doctors told his parents he wouldn’t live more than an hour after being born prematurely.

But Adam Milner defied the odds.

He spent 16 days in special care at Calderdale Royal Hospital and was dubbed a ‘miracle baby’ by staff.

Proud parents Vicky and Steve Milner took him to their home at Crosland Hill and enjoyed many happy milestones like any first-time parents – until tragedy stuck.

Adam choked on food while at the Portland House Nursery, Lindley. And despite doctors’ best efforts, he died, aged two years and four months, in 2009.

More than two years on since Adam’s tragic death, his parents have raised cash in his memory to help other children needing specialist hospital care.

Mrs Milner said: “Adam was a wonderful little boy, full of smiles, and is terribly missed by us all. But he will live on in our hearts forever.”

The couple, who now live in Halifax, revisited Calderdale Royal’s Special Care Baby Unit with their other children, Evan, who was born seven weeks after Adam died and Isabel, who will be one next month.

They were there to donate more than £2,000 for cots and equipment given at Adam’s funeral collection.

They have also raised £8,000 for the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit at Leeds General Infirmary.

The money has been used to purchase an innovative piece of equipment called a Vapotherm, which helps regulate oxygen and gas flows for patients experiencing serious breathing difficulties.

Mrs Milner added: “The nurses on the Special Care Baby Unit at Calderdale do such a wonderful job day in day out.

“We just wanted to give back.

“Likewise the staff at the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at Leeds General Infirmary, did everything they could and helped make our last few days with Adam as bearable as possible.

The £8,000 was raised by Mr Milner and friends who completed the Three Peaks Challenge.

A further £2,000 raised from the event is to be allocated in Adam’s memory.

Nurse Alison Massey said: “It is a pleasure to receive this cheque from Mr and Mrs Milner after such a huge fundraising effort by them and their friends.

“It will help us buy equipment which will help tiny and poorly babies to survive into the future.”

Speaking on behalf of PICU, Sharon Beanland said: “We are extremely grateful for Mr and Mrs Milner’s donation and the hard work of all those who helped raise the monies.

“The new equipment will hopefully help save lives of other children from all over the region.”