A CAMPAIGN to raise £350,000 for equipment for Whipps Cross University Hospital's maternity unit is underway.

The maternity unit delivered more than 5,000 babies and is twice as busy as it was when it opened in the 1970s. Now hospital staff are raising funds for much-needed improvements.

The cash will compliment £3 million NHS funding for major works to the building.

The launch of the campaign, called the Big Push, on Thursday (May 7) was attended by Kevin Adams, a celebrity fitness expert and TV presenter whose mum is a midwife at Whipps Cross, Tottenham defender Michael Dawson, Spurs youth player Anthony Jack, Leyton Orient midfielder Loick Pires and O's trainee Matthew Hall.

They were joined by Julie Tyler, whose son Teddy was stillborn at the hospital in 2006.

She urged people to give generously so that women who lose a child have the support they need.

Harry Cohen, MP for Leyton, Walthamstow MP Neil Gerrard and Waltham Forest Mayor Cllr Sheila Smith-Pryor were also present.

Elizabeth Goshawk, senior fundraising manager, said: "It was a brilliant launch to the appeal and I'm confident we will reach our target."