On 18 August, 11 incredible and brave individuals took to the skies above Honiton for a heart-stopping 15,000 ft free-fall tandem skydive, all in support of ourHospice. These skydivers, truly hospice heroes, have already raised over £10,000, with more sponsorships still pouring in to support the vital work of the hospice.
What makes this feat even more extraordinary is that six of these daredevil skydivers are part of the St Margaret’s Hospice Clinical Team. Collectively, they have dedicated over 27 years to caring for patients with life-limiting illnesses. The skydive was not just an exhilarating personal challenge but also a powerful symbol of their commitment to the patients they care for every day.
Speaking of the jump, Anna Saunders, Senior Sister at the hospice raved, “It was a fantastic experience! This was my second skydive but doing something that pushes you out of your comfort zone in order to raise money for the Hospice was a great way of collecting funds while remembering the bravery of our real superheroes – our patients and their families. Thank you so much to everyone that has so generously supported us all in reaching this incredible target, the difference your donations make will benefit those needing Hospice support in the future.”
Pictured from left - Michaela Perry, Jo Skitteral, Cher Griffiths
The clinical team had a specific goal in mind: to fundraise £500 each, which could fund a new Oska Chair for the In-Patient Unit. These specialised chairs provide extreme comfort and pressure relief for patients while being easy for healthcare staff to manoeuvre, directly enhancing the quality of care they provide, seeing the impact of their bravery in the skies reflected in the daily comfort of their patients.
Merle Harrison-Croft, Events Manager at the hospice, shared her admiration for the team: "All of our skydivers are superheroes in my eyes. Watching those parachutes descend together, knowing they were doing this for such a worthwhile cause, was incredibly emotional. Our clinical team go above and beyond every day in their roles, and to see them take on this fundraising challenge to help others was just so inspirational. We can’t wait to return to Dunkeswell Airfield next year for another skydive with Skydive Buzz."
Every penny raised will go directly to supporting those in Somerset with progressive, life-limiting illnesses, helping them to live well and die well.
St Margaret's Hospice is incredibly proud of these skydiving superheroes and extends heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported their fundraising efforts. With their help, the hospice can continue providing essential care and support to those who need it most. If you’d like to join St Margaret’s for next year’s event, please email events@st-margarets-hospice.org.uk
Superhero skydivers: Anna Saunders, Jo Skitteral, Cheyenne Labbé, Jo Greedy, Brad Rowlandson, Alex Rowlandson, Ruth Wise, Cher Griffiths, Georgia Cheshire, Lily Trevett, and Michaela Perry