A NURSE who has supported hundreds of families after losing a loved one is taking on a skydive in the name of charity.

Donna Parker joined St Mary's Hospice in Ulverston as a nurse and has since made a 'huge impact' in the family and bereavement support team

Donna has supported hundreds of families with their grief since she started in the role - and now the nurse is taking on a daring challenge to raise money for the hospice.

She said: “Part of my role involves me having the honour of meeting patients and their families on our in-patient unit, this is usually in the darkest days of their lives. In many case’s I then get to continue supporting family members after their loved one has passed away.

"So many of the families we support want to give back to the hospice by fundraising, this is very often done in the short months after losing their loved ones.

"These families are the reason I have decided to do this challenge.

"Whilst I will be raising much needed funds for our hospice, I want to show how much we appreciate all the hard work that families and friends put into raising money to keep the hospice running.

"Doing this challenge is really pushing me out of my comfort zone and is my way of saying thank you to everybody that has put themselves out of their comfort zones at the worst time of their lives.”

St Mary’s Hospice events and challenges manager, Mel Dixon added: “Donna is amazing. Donna is dedicated, and works tirelessly as part of our family and bereavement support team to be there for so many families in our community at such a difficult time in their lives.

"Donna sees the difference our services make, and how St Mary’s couldn’t be here without the fundraising support we get from across our community.

"We are so proud of her for taking up the challenge of doing a skydive. Donna is such an inspiration to us all, and part of our team that makes St Mary’s Hospice special.

"We are proud to be associated with going the extra mile for patients and their loved ones, and now Donna is doing this vertically!”

To make a donation, visit: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/donna-parker12

St Mary’s Hospice Family and Bereavement Support Service is available to anyone over the age of 18 who is experiencing loss, irrespective of time lapsed, cause or relationship.

There is also no requirement to have had previous contact with the hospice services. Find out more at www.stmaryshospice.org.uk or get in touch with the team on 01229 580305.