A GARDENER at Airedale Hospital has taken a leap for charity – by jumping out of a plane.

Steve Marshall joined the Jump for Love, a national skydiving event to raise vital funds to support the charity Saying Goodbye, which is part of the Mariposa Trust.

The event is normally a tandem sky dive, but Mr Marshall decided to take on a solo free-fall jump instead, in the hope it would raise even more money for the charity.

The Mariposa Trust supports anyone who has experienced the loss of a baby, whether during pregnancy, at birth or in infancy. The charity provides service and support via two divisions, Saying Goodbye and Growing You.

Mr Marshall, head gardener at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, said: “I have had members of my family suffer the loss of a child, it is heartbreaking to see people you love go through such a tragedy and so I want to be able to help others that may have to go through it in the future.

"I have raised £710 so far but would love to raise more.”

To donate, visit mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/stevenmarshall1.