A GRATEFUL grandma has decided to say a huge thank you to Swansea's neonatal intensive care unit.

And looking at these pictures, it's easy to see why.

Three of Joan Lewis's four grandchildren — twins Jessica and Emily, aged eight, and Noah, aged one-and-a-half — needed specialist neo-natal care after being born prematurely. Thankfully, the trio are all full of life.

But Mrs Lewis is planning to give more than a bouquet of flowers or a bottle of wine —- she's aiming to raise £7,000 for the Singleton Hospital unit, which looks after sick babies, as well as those born prematurely. And, given Mrs Lewis's track record, the hospital can expect a cheque before too long.

Mrs Lewis, of Cae Mansel Road, Gowerton, helped raise more than £500,000 to buy life-saving equipment for local hospitals after personally setting up the Neath Port Talbot Cancer Challenge in the late 1990s.

The charity campaign earned a Queen's Jubilee Award for Voluntary Services, while Mrs Lewis picked up an MBE, among other awards, for her efforts.

This time around, the former music teacher is arranging a series of concerts to raise funds for a medical device called a video laryngoscope, which costs £7,000.

She said she was very grateful to the neo-natal intensive care unit.

"I'm so glad to have grandchildren, and they are fit as a fiddle," said Mrs Lewis.

The first of the concerts, featuring Morriston RFC Choir and soloists Nigel Hopkins and Claire Powell, takes place tomorrow evening at Gowerton's St John's Church.

Also singing are Mrs Lewis's own ladies' choir, Voices in Harmony, whose president is Gower AM and Assembly Government Health Minister, Edwina Hart.

Other concerts are to follow, with Brighton and Hove City Brass Band due to raise the roof at Gowerton Comprehensive School on April 10.

Mrs Lewis, mother of Darryl and Eleanor, celebrated her golden wedding anniversary with her husband, David, in 2007.

Her new charity campaign is being applauded by ABM Health Board.

A board spokeswoman said: "We are delighted with Mrs Lewis's ongoing support. She has raised funds for local health services in the past.

"We'd like to say a very big thank you for her continued efforts."

richard.youle@swwmedia.co.uk