Seven brave hospice supporters took a leap of faith last month as they experienced the exhilaration of a skydive in aid of St Richard’s Hospice.
The group were all taking part in an organised skydive at Hinton in the Hedges Airfield, Brackley, and together have raised over £6,500 to help the hospice care for patients with life-threatening illnesses and support their loved ones.
The money raised will pay for a patient to receive three days of round the clock nursing care from the hospice’s highly trained Hospice at Home team.
Each supporter felt the adrenalin rush of plunging 10,000 feet out of a plane at 120mph, harnessed to an experienced parachute instructor, before coming to a safe landing in front of friends and family.
Dominique Thompson was joined by sister Katy as they jumped in memory of their father Terry Thompson, from Worcester, who was cared for by St Richard’s Hospice before his death in 2013.
Dominique Thompson said; “We had a few months to try and get our heads around the incredible shock that our Dad was dying but it didn’t make it any easier when we did lose him. What did make it easier for us all, and most importantly for Dad, was St Richard’s Hospice. It was Christmas, a time when hospice staff should have been with their families and yet nothing was too much. They made a tragic situation bearable, giving us time and support when we needed it the most. St Richard’s Hospice made my Dad comfortable, allowed him to be surrounded by loved ones at all times and protected his dignity and pride. For this we will all be forever thankful. I was very nervous before the skydive but facing my fears was my way of saying thank you and I am so glad I did it.”
The team on the day was completed by other participants who took part in the challenge in memory of their loved ones: Emma Malcolm, from Worcester, in memory of her Nan Marion Malcolm; Derek Russell, from Worcester, in memory of his Mum Christine Russell; Pippa Vicary, from Pershore, in memory of her Dad Mike Jones; and Alan Fellows and his partner Gemma Greenman, from Droitwich.
St Richard’s Hospice group skydive dates for 2016 will be available shortly on our Events Calendar. If you are interested in taking part please call us on 01905 763963.