Aleigha died in 2015 after being delivered at 28 weeks and five days gestation.

"Things were out of anyone's control," said Aleigha's dad Scott Pickering.

Aleigha was the first child for Scott and his partner Tammy Follan.

"We hoped and prayed for a miracle but it was out of our control," he said.

"The amount of compassion, support and help from the staff at John Hunter Hospital's NICU (Neo Natal Intensive Care Unit) was amazing.

"After Aleigha had gone and things started to settle down, I felt that I wanted to give something back," Scott said.

Scott organised a fundraiser at his workplace, tattoo business Honey Ink at Green Hills.

What started out as a small event to raise around $2000 exceeded all expectations blowing Scott and Tammy away.

More than $10,200 was raised and presented to John Hunter Hospital's NICU on Aleigha's birthday on February 4.

"I had been thinking about doing the fundraiser for a while but I wanted to make sure we did it right," Scott said.

"It was really positive and there was such a big response from people who either had kids in the NICU or knew someone who was connected with it in some way.

"Now I know this was a success and I can do it, I want it to become an annual event.

"We had a tattoo flash day where we offered small tattoo designs that were drawn up and people could pick the ones they wanted and the money from these went to the cause. We also had raffles with tattoo vouchers and other gifts from businesses that donated," Scott said.

NICU staff asked Scott and Tammy how they wanted the money spent. "We said on anything that would help them. They will get back to us to let us know how the money has helped. They were just blown away that we raised so much for them," Scott said.

The unit provided Scott and Tammy with huge support, offering counsellors, organising hand and foot moulds of Aleigha and photographs. "They let us put little dresses on her so we could get some nice photos. They let us stay with her, hold her and spend those last precious moments with her."