A REDDITCH mum will be taking a leap of faith next month for the charity which helped save her baby daughter’s life.
Michelle Powell, who lives in Lodge Park will be doing a skydive on September 9 to help raise cash for the British Heart Foundation (BHF), after it helped saved her daughter’s life just days after she was born.
Baby Freya Powell was born on December 5, 2013 and had to have life-saving open-heart surgery when she was just six days old.
Mum Michelle said: “All seemed fine after the birth and we were transferred to the maternity ward at Birmingham Women’s Hospital.
“They performed and repeated an oxygen saturation test which came back low both times. She was then taken away from me and rushed to neonatal for tests which showed a narrowed aorta.”
Baby Freya, who weighed just 4lb 12oz had to undergo open-heart surgery to survive. She spent six days in intensive care and a week in the high dependency unit before she was transferred to the Alexandra Hospital. She remained there for 10 days until she was finally allowed home.
The 35 year-old mum added: “Now she is a bright, beautiful, determined three-year-old.
“The surgery and treatment wouldn’t have been possible if it wasn’t for the amazing research and work BHF do, so I want to do this skydive to raise money to help further research even more.
“I’m a little nervous about it but I think it will be an experience of a lifetime – and as I get to raise money for charity very close to my heart, it will be worth it.
“I like to think my daughter will be proud of me when she is a bit older – I’ve not really explained it to her yet, in case she gets worried!”
Visit justgiving.com/fundraising/michelle-powell8 for more information or to donate.
