Norwich mum’s skydive charity challenge in memory of daughter who died two hours after birth

Ella Hall. Photo: Submitted (Image: Archant © 2014)

After going through IVF treatment to get pregnant, the 28-year-old from Taverham was left devastated after little Ella was born 18 weeks premature – too early to be treated by hospital medics.

The receptionist, who works at St Crispin's House, in Norwich, has now pledged to do all she can for the charity that picked her up and put her back on her feet after Ella's death.

Miss Hall is hoping to raise hundreds of pounds for East Anglia's Children's Hospices (EACH) when she jumps out of an aeroplane at 13,000ft on September 13 for a tandem skydive.

The fundraiser, who will do the charity parachute jump on her 29th birthday, said she could not thank the staff at the charity's hospice in Quidenham enough after her daughter's sudden birth on April 3 2012.

When Miss Hall went into labour 22 weeks and four days into her pregnancy, staff at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital told her that they were unable to treat premature babies born before 24 weeks.

The new mum and her partner Matt Watson were referred to EACH's services at Quidenham, near Attleborough, where Ella, who weighed 383 grams, died two hours after her birth.

Miss Hall stayed at the hospice three days after her daughter's death and the couple took up regular bereavement counselling with EACH to help them to come to terms with their loss.

'When all this happened, we did not expect to get any help and we did not know how to get through it.

'If it was not for EACH, I would not be the person I am today. I was in a really bad hole and they got me back on my feet.

'They kept my daughter's memory alive as well,' she said.

Miss Hall said she would have done more for EACH earlier.

However, she was surprised and shocked when she got pregnant naturally and gave birth to Mia in May 2013, who was born at 37 weeks.

She is set to do the Team EACH skydive at Ellough Airfield in Beccles on September 13, which will be followed by an evening of clairvoyance with Simon Traube later that day. The event will be from 7pm at the Talk in Oak Street, Norwich.

Miss Hall added that EACH were very supportive during her second pregnancy when she was so anxious about her unborn baby's health.

'Everyone at Quidenham was fantastic. They made us feel at home and looked after Ella really well. The team arranged for us to have Ella's hand and footprints done and even a foot cast too.

'We had constant care 24/7 and the team helped us so much especially with the funeral details. We had brilliant advice and at times we did activities in Ella's memory which was fantastic and we always came away more relaxed,' she said.

Rose Peasgood, EACH Norfolk fundraiser, said: 'We've all been incredibly moved by Tina and Matt's story.

'This skydive is about celebrating a little girl whose life was all too short and raising funds and awareness of the charity which has supported and continues to support her family.'

• To sponsor Miss Hall, visit www.justgiving.com/tina-hall5

• Have you benefited from EACH's services? Email adam.gretton@archant.co.uk