Droitwich daredevils charity skydive (From Droitwich Advertiser)

Droitwich daredevils charity skydive

10:48am Friday 3rd July 2009

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FOUR daredevils from a Droitwich Spa firm are preparing to leap from the skies in a bid to raise funds for St Richard’s Hospice.

Hotelshop UK staff Ian Brown, Paula Martin, Rachel Bloomer and Marc Morgan are all taking part in a special tandem skydive day at Hinton Airfield on August 1.

The firm has supported St Richard’s for many years, particularly since managing director Viv Hudson won a St Richard’s Hospice Worcestershire Woman of the Year business award.

For 23-year-old Ian Brown the fundraising is of personal importance.

He said: “I know from first hand experience how important and valued the service is that St Richard’s Hospice provide. When my step father was suffering from terminal cancer, the hospice was one of the things that kept him going. He would look forward to the days when the hospice bus would arrive to pick him up, and he’d be able to get out of the house for a day. It gave him a sense of independence.

“Also the chance to be in the company of others going through the same thing and experiencing the same feelings, emotionally and physically. Not only did they help my step father, but also helped support my mum and younger brother during this hard time and also after his demise.

“Their support is priceless and myself and my family cannot thank them enough for the support they offered.”

Ian has also had to shed 14lbs in order to meet the required skydiving weight which has been an added incentive.

Ian will be joined by Rachel Bloomer, 20 who said: “I am extremely nervous about the jump, let’s just say the person I’m strapped to better have some strong eardrums. However, all you have to do is go on St Richard’s website and read about what you are jumping for. It brings it all into perspective and suddenly, falling 10,000 feet at 120mph seems a drop in the ocean.

“I can’t wait for the big day to jump alongside my colleagues and feel the relief when my feet hit the ground and the feeling that we have done something worthwhile”

Colleagues Paula Martin and Marc Morgan, 22, have also never skydived before but are ready for the challenge. If you would like to sponsor the team please contact Ian at ian.brown@hotelshopuk.com Previous skydive days have raised over £30,000 for St Richard’s in the last two years.

Anyone who would like to take part in the day needs to raise the minimum sponsorship of £395 to do the tandem skydive for free. For more information please contact Joanna Street on 01905 763963 or email jstreet@strichards.org.uk For more information please visit www.strichards.org.uk

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