A MUM from Pucklechurch has raised £2,000 for Bristol’s Cots for Tots appeal by undertaking a 15,000ft skydive.
Gemma Giltrow wanted to give back to the charity after the support she and her husband Joey received following the premature birth of their daughter Jade in August last year.
Jade was born in Southmead Hospital weighing 14 ounces – 419 grams – and was in an incubator in St Michael’s Hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), given only a 50% chance of survival.
But after three operations and 149 days in hospital, she was allowed to go home with her parents and brother Connor.
She is still under the care of medical professionals but is now well enough to go to nursery.
Gemma, who works with adults with mental health difficulties, said she wanted to undertake the daredevil 15,000ft (4,572m) drop to give back to the NICU team who had supported her and her family so well.
Gemma successfully completed the skydive at Dunkeswell Airfield in Devon at the end of October.
She said: “I had the most amazing time – what a buzz!
“Thank you to every single person who donated an incredible amount for a charity close to our hearts.
“All the neonatal services Jade spent time in are just out of this world. Words can’t even thank them enough for what they did for our daughter.”
Cots for Tots is the charity for St Michael’s NICU and Bristol Children’s Hospital.