WHEN Angela Golsby’s partner bought her a skydive for Christmas she decided to make the experience a little more special.

As she jumps from the plane she hopes to raise as much cash as possible in memory of her friends’ baby Finnley Froude. Little Finnley was born 12 weeks premature at the neo-natal intensive care unit at Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital in February 2010, weighing just 1lb 4oz — less than a bag of sugar.

By June 2010 he weighed 7lb 14oz and his parents Gemma and Luke had hoped to take him home soon. But sadly he suffered complications with his heart and was not strong enough to survive what doctors believe was a virus or infection.

Mr and Mrs Froude, of Appleby Close, Banbury, were left devastated, but poured their grief into raising cash in memory of their son and have so far raised £48,000 for Support for the Sick Newborn and their Parents (Ssnap), based at the JR.

On September 1, at Hinton Aerodrome, near Brackley, mum-of-three Miss Golsby hopes to add to that total. Miss Golsby said: “I wanted to raise money for SSNAP in memory of Finnley because I wanted a charity that I was familiar with, and that I knew where the money went. “I know from Gemma and Luke’s experience how valuable SSNAP is.” The 36-year-old said she has always wanted to skydive and last Christmas her partner Gary Crook bought her the experience as a gift.

Miss Golsby, who lives in Banbury and works at Bridge Vauxhall, said: “I haven’t really thought about the jump. I have always wanted to do it. “I’m excited but will no doubt feel nervous on the day.”

Nursery manager Mrs Froude said: “Angela has always supported our events by donating items, money, helping spread the word and attending charity events that we have carried out.

“We are overwhelmed with Angela’s support in doing this skydive as she’s a braver woman than I am.

“We would like to say a massive thank you to Angela for her kindness in choosing Finnley’s memory to raise money for and hope that people can dig deep and donate a little to SSNAP, who are a great cause at the John Radcliffe Hospital.”

  • To sponsor Miss Golsby view mycharitypage.com/angecrooky10