A YEADON woman is celebrating after successfully completing a highly sought-after course in midwifery.

Gemma Jukes, 21, from Bankfield Close, beat 800 other hopefuls from around the country for one of 12 places on a BSc in midwifery at the University of Newcastle.

She said: "A hundred people were interviewed for the course, so it was very competitive."

During the course, Gemma assisted in delivering a total of 54 babies including one instance when she helped deliver a baby boy who was later airlifted to hospital.

She said, "Helping somebody give birth is an amazing experience and I felt privileged to be involved in such a special moment."

The course has provided Gemma with the opportunity to start working in her dream career.

"This has always been an ambition of mine, ever since school, and I will soon start a job as a midwife at Leeds General Infirmary," she said.

The course lasted for three years and consisted of a clinical placement in a hospital, in addition to a gruelling schedule of academic exams and coursework.

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