Skydiving therapists hoping to raise cash for hospice
Sky is the limit for local therapists
A trio of local therapists will reach for the sky next month in a bid to raise hundreds of pounds for Cambridge’s Arthur Rank hospice.
Occupational Therapists Catriona Gregory (Haverhill), Isobel Curtis-Smith (Great Shelford), Jill Fairchild (Haddenham) and Community Fundraiser Amy Bidwell (Waterbeach) who all work at the hospice, will take to the skies with UK Parachuting for the tandem skydive over Sibson Airfield in Wansford, Peterborough.
They will join five other intrepid Hospice supporters to skydive 13,000ft at the Charity’s ‘Sky’s the Limit Dive Day’ in September.
They will free fall 5,000-feet for around 40 seconds, at speeds of up to 120mph before the parachute is deployed and they glide back down to earth for around another six minutes.
The team will be joined by five other adrenaline seekers including Chloe Sutton (Cambridge), Beth Bambridge (Bedford), Emma Downes (Haverhill), Steve Mines (Hempstead), Luke Upshall (Alconbury Western).
Therapist Catriona Gregory said: “My colleagues Isobel and Jill had already signed up and encouraged me to join them and make it a team effort.
“Although I’m fairly new to the charity – having only joined the team in March - I’ve seen how much of an impact fundraising has on the services and would like to make my contribution. I know what I’m letting myself in for because I did one many years ago but I’m still scared of stepping out over the edge of the plane!”
The nine skydivers are expected to raise over £1,600 via donations from friends and family and hosting their own community fundraising events.
Applications for the “Sky’s the Limit Dive Day” remain open until Thursday 25 August, with interested parties invited to contact Amy Bidwell in the fundraising office on 01223 723186 or by emailing amy.bidwell@arhc.org.uk.
Arthur Rank Hospice Charity works closely with UK Parachuting to facilitate tandem skydives for individuals or groups of colleagues and/or friends, who wish to raise funds for the Charity throughout the year.
