A BEREAVEMENT support midwife from Bradford Royal Infirmary is taking part in a skydive to raise funds for a stillbirth and neonatal death charity which has helped many families.

Four days before her 60th birthday on September 11, Julie Key will leap out of an aeroplane over Grange-over-Sands in Cumbria as she wants to raise money for the Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society (SANDS).

Julie, who is based on Ward M1 in Maternity, has been in her role for nearly 18 years and during that time has worked alongside SANDS, which, like her role, supports women with pregnancy losses in Bradford, as well as through subsequent pregnancies.

Bereavement support midwife Julie Key will do a skydive to raise funds for the SANDS charityBereavement support midwife Julie Key will do a skydive to raise funds for the SANDS charity (Image: Newsquest)

She said: “On September 11, I will be 60 and a skydive is something I have thought about for many years, so I’m not sure if I'm brave or stupid, but I arranged it for September 7, a few days before my birthday.

“I need to raise £470 but I would love to raise much more.

"I’ve never done anything like this before and I'm not scared yet but I'm sure I will be when I get ready to jump.”

Julie, who is from Bradford, will be supported at the tandem skydive by her partner, Mark, family, and friends, as well as families who she has supported with pregnancy loss over the years.

She began orthopaedic training in 1981, before nurse training, and then a midwifery qualification.

Her inspiration to join the profession came after being treated at St Luke's Hospital as a child patient.

Julie said: “I have been a Type 1 diabetic for 47 years and was diagnosed aged 12 at St Luke’s where I spent a month on K2.

"It was while a patient I decided I wanted to be a nurse.

“Through the ups and downs of living with diabetes, I thought it was time to do something to mark my life and raise money for a charity close to my heart, which is how the skydive evolved.

“All midwives are in an incredibly privileged position in joining women and their families in what can be one of the most exciting and joyful time in their lives, however, not every baby comes home and some parents are left with empty arms.

“The SANDS charity exists to reduce the number of babies dying and to ensure that anyone affected by the death of a baby receives the best possible care and support for as long as they need it.”

To donate on behalf of Julie visit: justgiving.com/page/julie-key-1713021626181