Earlier in the summer of 2025 , Millie took on a daring skydive. 🪂 She shares what motivated her to accept the challenge and how the experience felt: 

“Taking on a skydive at Hibaldstow for the National Kidney Federation (NKF) and Parkinson’s was one of the most exhilarating and emotional experiences of my life! I thought, we’re raising money for great causes, why not add some adrenaline!?

Weirdly, I wasn’t nervous at all as the plane climbed higher, I felt READY! Every second of the adrenaline rush of freefalling through the sky at 120mph was thrilling - I was literally flying! My grandparents would’ve been shocked that I did this in their honour, since I’m scared of going on big rides!

But this wasn’t just about the thrill. I jumped in memory of my brave Nana, who battled kidney disease with incredible strength. Supporting the NKF felt like the perfect way to honour her and help others facing the same struggles she did.

Knowing that each second of that freefall was raising awareness and funds for kidney patients made the experience even more powerful. I’m so proud to support a charity that fights for better treatment and gives a voice to those who often go unheard. My late Nana, Hannah, aged 85 was brave and showed remarkable strength in her final years. Diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in her 60s, she managed it as best she could, but never quite gave up her love for cake!

A routine blood test at age 84 revealed kidney problems that had sadly gone unnoticed for too long. She was later diagnosed with severe Hyperkalemia, caused by her kidneys no longer filtering properly. It left her exhausted, confused, and in and out of hospital. She never reached dialysis, as the strain on her body led to two cardiac arrests. We were forever grateful she survived the first, giving us one last Christmas, where she was completely spoilt and ensured we made her mince pies correctly! However, we sadly lost her in January 2024.

Although she never knew about the National Kidney Federation, she’d admire everything it stands for. We chose to support the NKF because it’s run by kidney patients who truly understand the journey. Nana often felt scared, alone, and unheard, especially when trying to manage a low-potassium diet. No family should feel that lost — and thanks to the NKF, many won’t.”

A BIG thank you to Millie for raising over an amazing £500, what an incredible experience! 👏

You can show your support for Milie’s fundraiser by heading to her JustGiving page: www.justgiving.com/page/millie-riley-2

Feeling inspired? 🧡 Take on the challenge of a skydive in support of the NKF, visit our events page for further details: www.kidney.org.uk/Event/tandem-skydive