Tiny Sienna Chamberlain was not breathing when she born, and her parents were told to face the possibility she would be brain damaged.

But after spending the first three days of her life on a hospital cooling machine designed to reduce brain activity, the three-month-old tot is now fighting fit.

Yesterday, the neonatal unit at Leicester Royal Infirmary took delivery of a second cooling machine, which cost £14,000, and fund-raising is under way for a third.

Sienna's father, Justin, of Burbage, hopes the new equipment will benefit other babies like his daughter.

He said: "She is the most perfect baby. But without this treatment we could be in a drastically different situation.

"I was awestruck with what everyone in that neonatal unit did – everyone was so caring.

"We felt so lucky the cooling machine was there for Sienna."

The cooling unit works by reducing a baby's body temperature, which slows the metabolism and the release of chemicals which can cause inflammation and brain damage.

The infirmary was one of the first hospitals in the country to introduce the treatment as part of a research study which began in 2004.

Babies born at 35 weeks or more are kept at a temperature of 33.5C – below a normal temperature of 37C for three days and then slowly warmed up.

Andy Currie, a consultant neo-natologist at the infirmary, said "We treat about 20 babies a year from around the region and having this machine will make a big difference – one of the existing ones is very old."

The money for the new machine was raised by about 150 cyclists, who took part in an annual sponsored bike ride from Leicester's Clock Tower to Skegness in June last year.

Martin Isaac, from Oadby, who organised the annual ride, said: "It is a lot of hard work but seeing a machine like this and being able to help makes it all worthwhile."

The 2011 ride also raised about £23,000 for the Alzheimer's Society and the Leicestershire carers charity, Clasp.

Mr Isaac said: "We are hoping this year's ride will raise £37,000, which will be split between Leicester's hospitals appeal to improve cancer facilities for young people and 11 charities to help local people."

To take part in the ride, on Saturday, June 16, call Mr Issac on 0116 271 9847, or e-mail:

martinjisaac2003@yahoo.co.uk