Fundraiser takes to the skies for Hospice

A phobia of planes and a fear of heights did not stand in the way of one fundraiser as she took on a sky high challenge in memory of her father.

Charley West took to the skies and raised £1,722 for the Hospice by completing a wing walk to mark the tenth anniversary of her father’s death.

Although her father John West didn’t receive care from the hospice, which provides help and support for those in the final chapters of their lives, Charley received counselling from the charity after his death.

Charley, who lives in Stowmarket, said: “As it was my dad’s tenth anniversary I wanted to mark the day with something challenging, to mark the first anniversary of his death I did sky dive and raised donations for St Nicholas Hospice Care.

“I have a phobia of planes and I’m not too great with heights, so it was a challenge for me, but I really enjoyed it.

“It was an amazing experience and I am so glad I did it. I asked them if they would be able to do a double loop, but they couldn’t so instead we did a nosedive, I was shaking the whole way through.

“The hospice offered me counselling which really helped and supported me in such a difficult time, which is why I wanted to raise funds to give something back and help others.”

As well as generous sponsorship from her family and friends, to raise the funds Charley could be seen bag packing at Bury St Edmunds’ Marks and Spencer store and she arranged a tea party, with lots of delicious cakes on sale.

“I was overwhelmed with how generous the community was, and I am so grateful for everyone’s support, it means so much,” said Charley.

Charley completed her wing walk, which saw her reach heights of 500ft in Upminster on Saturday, 3 June, to mark the anniversary of her father’s death on Saturday, 27 May.