A nurse at a Preston hospice is preparing to throw herself from a plane to raise money for where she works.
AdvertisementMaxine Concannon, a clinic nurse specialist, works at the St Catherine’s Hospice in Lostock Hall.
After seeing the care given to her late father Harry Crowther she’s decided to give something back to the team and people she works with day in day out.
Maxine signed up for the skydive which takes place in September.
She said: “I’ve seen what the hospice does from both sides of the fence. And skydiving is something I’ve always wanted to do – it’s a ‘bucket list’ type of thing.
“I hate heights, so I am nervous, but also really excited! The only thing I can think to compare it to is when I went paragliding on holiday once – I was floating through the sky like a bird – I loved it.
“My colleagues are getting a bit worried for me, and are saying they’ll pay me not to do it! But my patients are really supportive and a few have said they’ll sponsor me, which is great.”
The mum-of-three from Hutton added: “I always knew that the staff in the inpatient unit were fantastic, but to actually be on the other side, as a family member when my dad died here, was very strange, but also very reassuring. They really are brilliant.”
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The skydive takes place on Saturday 10 September at the Black Knight’s Parachute Centre in Lancaster.
Fundraiser Emma Jacovelli said: “Our skydive days are always really popular and are a great way for people to have fun, test their limits and really get their adrenaline going, whilst raising money for a really worthy cause.
“All of the sponsorship money will be used to help fund the specialist care provided by St Catherine’s – here at the hospice in Lostock Hall as well as out in the community through Maxine and her team – for people with life-shortening illnesses such as cancer, Motor Neurone Disease, and heart failure.
“We need to raise £3.7m every single year to run the charity, and it wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of our wonderful supporters. The fact that Maxine not only puts her heart and soul into caring for people through her day job, but is also facing her fear of heights to raise funds for the charity, is incredible.”
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There are still places left for the skydive. You need to raise a minimum of £395 in sponsorship to take part.
You don’t need to have skydived before to do it.
To sign up email emma.jacovelli@stcatherines.co.uk or call 01772 629171.