A MALTON florist is preparing to take part in a skydive in memory of her friend's baby.

Gemma Bicknell, who owns the Topiary Tree, in Finkle Street, will take part in a tandem skydive on Sunday, September 27 to raise money for the 4Louis charity.

The charity creates memory boxes for stillbirth, neo-natal, infant and child loss so parents can capture lasting memories.

Gemma said that she is doing it in memory of Seth, the son of her friend Jamie Wright.

Jamie's partner, Lucy Copland, collapsed at her home in Malton in October last year. Despite the efforts of ambulance and hospital staff, they were unable to save Lucy or Seth, who had been due at the end of November.

Gemma’s cousin-in-law also gave birth to a stillborn son, Jack Saddington.

Gemma said: “Jamie is a good friend of mine and Lucy was expecting a baby at the same time as me.

“Jamie thought doing a skydive to raise money for 4Louis was a great idea. My cousin-in-law also had a stillborn birth so I want to do it in memory of both of those babies.

“We don’t like to think that something could ever happen to our children and I can’t even imagine what an awful time it must be.

"4Louis provides a lasting memory and it’s nice that they create something that parents can keep and I know people have found comfort in that.”

So far Gemma, 36, has raised more than £500 and is now hoping to reach the £700 mark for the charity.

She will take part in the tandem skydive at the Bridlington skydiving centre where she will be strapped to an instructor before jumping out of a plane from 10,000ft.

She said: “I think it will be amazing, I’ll just be nervous beforehand. I just want to raise as much money for 4Louis as possible and I know once I’m out of the plan I will love it but I will be nervous.”

To sponsor Gemma, visit doitforcharity.com/GBicknell