NHS staff have been flying high to raise funds for charity thanks to local adventure business Sky-High Skydiving, in Shotton Colliery near Peterlee.
Sky-High Skydiving recognised that the last 18 months has been difficult for many people, hitting charities particularly hard. The company kindly gifted 50 tandem skydives to help out, thank our NHS heroes, and give the community something to look forward to.
County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust were kindly gifted 10 tandem skydives which will see colleagues from across the organisation taking on the jump for the NHS.
Pat Chambers Charity Development Manager said: “We’re hugely grateful to Sky-High Skydiving for giving 10 skydiving places for colleagues from the Trust and a fantastic opportunity to raise much-needed funds.
“As the Trust’s charity, we use donations and legacies to deliver a whole range of projects which make the world of difference to patient experience; as well as supporting our hardworking colleagues. Like many charities our demand for support has only increased during the pandemic so we are immensely grateful for any opportunity to raise funds.
“Despite the main jump not being able to go ahead on Sunday 15 August due to adverse weather, it doesn’t dampen enthusiasm from #TEAMCDDFT and those who couldn’t participate will be doing so soon, with some of our colleagues already completing their jump.”
Lauren Peacock from the Easington North District Nursing Team took part in the sky-diving, she said: “Working as a community nurse I get to see first-hand how much raising money for equipment can change a person’s life, housebound patients are unable to travel to facilities with equipment but are still as important as anyone else to be able to receive care, as a community nurse we bring equipment to patients homes to ensure the care they deserve and are entitled too is delivered.”
Sky-High Skydiving was set up just three days before the pandemic started taking over the old business, Peterlee Parachute Centre.
Rebecca Bell, Sky-High Charity Co-Ordinator said: “It has been absolutely wonderful to be able to offer something so amazing to the NHS charities and a true pleasure to work with some of the passionate people that are the backbone of our local hospitals.”
Chief Instructor Bryn Chaffe added: “We have done many charity skydives to raise funds for the NHS over the years but this is the first time we at Sky-High Skydiving have held an event to bring everyone together. There is an exciting atmosphere surrounding it and at a time when everyone needs something to look forward to. I hope that the funds raised will be as high as the spirit of all those involved.”
The majority of colleagues from CDDFT were set to jump on Sunday 15 August but unfortunately the weather was not on their side. Instead, they will reschedule their jumps individually.
You can help support Your NHS Charity with a text donation simply text YOURNHS to 70480 to donate £5. Texts cost £5 plus one standard rate message, or by organising a fundraiser, please contact the team on 01325 743781 or email cddft.charity@nhs.net