Chesterfield dad to honour the 'perfect' baby boy he lost as he takes on charity skydive

A Chesterfield dad has pledged to defy his fears and leap from a plane for a skydive to honour the ‘perfect’ baby boy he tragically lost.
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Ryan Wagstaff, 25, and his former partner lost their ‘little angel’ Leo when he was born sleeping at just 21 weeks.

The aspiring police officer still remembers feeling ‘broken’ from the pain of losing Leo, but his family was supported by The Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Charity (SANDS).

Ryan Wagstaff, with children Charlotte, four, and three-year-old Tommy, lost his baby son Leo and is raising money for the SANDS charity.Ryan Wagstaff, with children Charlotte, four, and three-year-old Tommy, lost his baby son Leo and is raising money for the SANDS charity.
Ryan Wagstaff, with children Charlotte, four, and three-year-old Tommy, lost his baby son Leo and is raising money for the SANDS charity.
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Ryan is now preparing to raise money for SANDS, which supports anyone who has lost a baby, by taking part in a sponsored skydive from 10,000ft on March 6.

“I was inspired to raise money for SANDS as they do so much for the many bereaved parents out there including myself," Ryan said.

The Holmewood dad, who has two children, Charlotte, four, and three-year-old Tommy, says he can still remember the first time he felt Leo kick.

"At 21 weeks, on November 29, 2015, I received a phone call from my then partner, telling me something wasn’t right and we needed to go to Chesterfield Royal Hospital immediately.”

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Leo was born so early that midwives said Leo could not have survived the pressure of the birth.

"We spent the next 16 hours with him in a little side bedroom before we had to say our goodbyes,” Ryan said.

"He was only 21 weeks but he was perfect. He looked just like a normal baby but smaller, he really was a little angel!”

Ryan says he still struggles to describe how he felt in the days which followed.

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"I can just remember feeling broken, literally broken, like everything had just been ripped away and there’s nothing you can do,” he said.

Ryan and his family found out about SANDS through the wave of light ceremony held at Brimington Crematorium every year.

"They really do put a lot of effort in to what they do,” he said.

"They do much more, but that was what has helped me the most and why I’m so grateful to them.

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“I’m looking forward to it but at the same time I’m really nervous and just keep picturing myself sat on the edge of the plane at 10,000ft!”

To sponsor Ryan and help him hit his target, visit his JustGiving page

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.