Dad’s skydive raises hundreds in memory of his son

A dad jumped out of a plane at 12,000 feet to thank the QEQM maternity bereavement service for their care after the loss of his son.

Daniel Hancock, 45, from Ramsgate, raised £420 for East Kent Hospitals Charity with his skydive in memory of Daniel ‘Steakbake’ Jr.

He died when mum Louise Collier was 18 weeks pregnant.

Daniel said: “The QEQM maternity bereavement service and the Ocean Suite allowed us to make memories with our little boy.

“The amazing team took photos, handprints and footprints and helped us to make precious memories.

“Without this service, we would never have been able to have these moments with our baby boy.”

The Ocean Suite is a dedicated space for parents to spend time with their baby, supported by specialist bereavement midwives, away from the hustle and bustle of the maternity wards. The bereavement team continues to support families once they leave hospital.

Daniel said: “The help didn’t stop there. The support continued all the way through to welcoming our beautiful baby girl Jessie last December, and beyond.

“This is our way of just giving a little back in recognition of everything they have done for us and every other person that goes through this.”

Daniel and Louise have given their daughter the middle name Emma, named after bereavement midwife Emma Barritt, who they described as ‘wonderful’.

Louise added: “We are so pleased to have raised money for the Ocean Suite, it has meant a lot to us. We hope it can help towards others that find themselves in similar situations.”