The operation was a great success and Emily is recovering well.

Emily's parent's, Caroline and Neil, were so impressed by the care their daughter received, that they wanted to give something back to the hospital, and in particular the ophthalmology department.

Neil, a sales rep for an agricultural dealer, had been sporting a moustache for more than 30 years - and his colleagues decided it was high time he got rid of it. So the idea of a sponsored moustache and beard shave arose.

Community fundraiser for the hospital's Friends Foundation, Rachel McKenzie, was delighted to receive a donation totalling £1,000 from the proceeds of the event.

"On behalf of the Sick Kids Friends Foundation, I would like to say a huge thank-you to Neil, firstly for parting with his moustache and for encouraging everyone else to take part and to support the Sick Kids.

"Our sincere thanks go to Ian Gray, Maurice Lamb, Simon Curry, Colin Potts, Paul Scandle, Richard Eggleston and to everyone who sponsored them and helped to make this donation possible."

At the family's request, the funds will assist the Sick Kids Friends Foundation in purchasing new equipment for theatre, including specialised measuring equipment used to examine eyes while the child is anaesthetised, in order to plan cataract surgery.

Mrs McKenzie added that the ophthalmology team are also keen to purchase a new retinoscope, a lens set, and a slit lamp microscope to update the older versions of the instruments they are currently working with.

In the summer of 2008, the Sick Kids Friends Foundation assisted with the purchase of special equipment which is used in ophthalmic surgery on babies who are born with cataracts.

"Although the number of infants requiring surgery is low, by providing this equipment the foundation has made sure these children's sight can now be saved and the £31,012 it cost is a small price to pay for such an important outcome," added Mrs McKenzie.