Local midwife to skydive for baby bereavement suite appeal

A midwife at a local hospital will skydive to raise money for a baby bereavement appeal.
Michelle McKay, Midwife at Crewe’s Leighton Hospital, will step out of her comfort zone on Friday 25 October to raise money for Mid Cheshire Hospital’s Charity’s ‘Lost Little Ones’ baby bereavement suite appeal.
Michelle is hoping to raise £1,250 for the appeal to aid those parents going through baby loss. She has chosen to skydive as it is ‘completely out of her comfort zone’, but admits it is nothing compared to what some parents go through.
The Lost Little Ones appeal will help MCH Charity provide the funds to create a dedicated suite and attached outside space on the labour ward at Leighton Hospital for people experiencing baby loss.
The suite will allow parents to stay together for a few hours or days with their baby in a comfortable, non-clinical environment to spend quiet time together away from the rest of the ward.
Michelle, from Haslington, Crewe said: “I am raising funds as I have witnessed the heartache of parents whose babies have been born sleeping. As a midwife the experience stays with us long after.
“I cannot imagine the pain experienced and want to help ease that in any way. My nephew was born sleeping in March this year. I can't explain how hard this has been for my brother and sister-in-law.”
Jenny Butters, Head of Midwifery at Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which manages Leighton Hospital, said: “I am really proud that Michelle is doing something extraordinary to raise funds for this worthy cause. We know how important it is for parents to spend precious time with their babies and we want to make the environment as comfortable as possible for them at this difficult time.
“I am really grateful to Mid Cheshire Hospitals Charity, together with our staff, for supporting this amazing appeal and look forward to the coming months of fundraising and the realisation of the new bereavement suite.”
If you have been inspired by Michelle’s story you can donate to her Just Giving page here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/michelle-mckay3?utm_campaign=pfp-share&utm_content=Michelle-McKay3&utm_medium=fundraisingpage&utm_source=Facebook
The Mid Cheshire Hospitals Charity is keen to share information about how local groups and organisations can be supported in their fundraising efforts by them. Contact Carole Salmon, Community Fundraiser, on 01270 273248 / 07467 687998 / carole.salmon@mcht.nhs.uk for further information.