A FUND-RAISER set up by Hexham’s MP and his wife after the death of their newborn twins has raised more than £27,000.

In a moving tribute, Guy Opperman shared the sad news last week that he and his wife Flora lost their twins Teddy and Rafe.

A JustGiving page was set up by the couple with the aim of raising £20,000, increased from £10,000, to fund research into Prelabour Rupture of Membranes (PPROM), in Teddy and Rafe’s memory.

On the fund-raising page, Flora said: “This will hopefully prevent other families experiencing the same pain.

“We are very grateful for the care we received from the NHS, and we want to ensure that the learnings from our experience are as widely accessible as possible.

“We intend this fund to be used for research into PPROM.

“We are very grateful to Sands, and the bereavement teams at our hospitals, for their sensitive and thoughtful care we received.

“We will always be considering ways that we can help extend their expertise and compassion to more families in need.”

Mr Opperman revealed the sad news of the deaths of Teddy and Rafe last Wednesday.

He said: “Sadly, just over a week ago we lost our twin boys. Teddy came and went from this world quickly and quietly. He passed peacefully.

“Our younger twin, Rafe, was not born until Tuesday, June 23, but died later that day in Neonatal ICU.

“Baby loss, and coping with grief, is very hard.”

He continued: “The loss of our younger twin Rafe was particularly acute.

“He lived and died within a long day.

"But we treasure our time with him in Neonatal ICU.

“We were able to tell him of all our hopes and dreams for him, and our family; but he could not make it and died in Flora’s arms.

“We are grateful to the NHS doctors and nurses who tried to save our boys.”