Surrounded by a sea of knitted hats the latest addition to a fundraising family is already making his mark and establishing himself as a Hutchinson 'treasure.'

Eastern Daily Press: Little Tommy Hutchinson has made his entrance into a fundraising family - and already put his hat in the ring helping good causes.Little Tommy Hutchinson has made his entrance into a fundraising family - and already put his hat in the ring helping good causes. (Image: Archant)

For four-week-old Tommy Hutchinson's complicated birth has triggered an appeal for knitted hats as a thank you to staff whose quick reactions helped to prevent a more serious emergency.

Little Tommy joins four other siblings including big sister Tia aged 10, whose own charity Tia's Treasures, which helps local individuals and good causes, is about to celebrate its fifth birthday.

Proud mum Lisa Hutchinson, 34, said labour had to be started after Tommy was six days late. Everything went ahead without incident until just moments after Tommy was born and she began to haemorrhage.

At one point there were at least ten medics in the delivery room working to get the situation under control, while her husband Richard, 39, cradled their newborn son and looked on in alarm.

Mrs Hutchinson said she was grateful to staff for their immediate response which made all the difference to how things turned out.

Later on the ward nurses said they were short of knitted hats and struggled to find one big enough to fit Tommy, who weighed in at a bouncing 8lb 4oz.

'I thought at the time that would be my way of giving something back,' said Mrs Hutchinson.

'Even Tia has had a go at knitting, she has more patience than me. Luckily I have not had to learn to do it myself.'

So far, the family of University Crescent, Gorleston, have collected around 50 hats and some cardigans that will be donated to the hospital - mainly from people who have found out about the appeal through Tia's Treasures' online presence.

Mrs Hutchinson thanked midwives Jamie-Louise Raven, Emily Cole and everyone on CDS and Ward 11 at the James Paget Hospital.

She also thanked knitters Wendy Price, Brenda Bell, Angela Hounslow and Sandra Webb.

She said Tia was also putting her jewellery making skills from Tia's Treasures to good use by making some midwife-themed key rings to give out.

The family intend to deliver the woolly warmers on Tuesday when Tommy will be visiting the JPH for an ultrasound check on his hips.