On Saturday 3 September, the team of nine will skydive from an adrenaline inducing 13,000ft, in a bid to conquer their fears while raising hundreds of pounds.
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 on Saturday 3 September. They will free fall 5000 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 6 minutes. They 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 explains how she ended up getting involved: “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. Catriona will be holding a Quiz night at the Royal Exchange public house in Haverhill tonight (Thursday 18 August) from 8.30pm: more details can be found at http://www.arhc.org.uk/event.asp?$=1750&o=
Applications for the Sky’s the Limit Dive Day remain open until Thursday 25 August, with interested parties invited to contact Amy Bidwell (also skydiving on the day!) 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 (weather dependent).
To find out more and see a video of a previous Team ARHC skydive, please visit arhc.org.uk/jump.asp. ENDS