Team of skydivers leap from 10,000 feet to raise money for East Cheshire Hospice

A TEAM of ten social housing officers took a leap of faith to raise money for East Cheshire Hospice.

The group from town-centre based Peaks & Plains Housing Trust took part in a tandem sky dive earlier this month at Tilstock Airfield in Shropshire.

With a qualified instructor joining each of the brave skydivers they jumped from the plane at 10,000 feet.

Each of them then experienced free-fall for around 30 seconds until they reached 5,000 feet where their parachute was released.

Peaks & Plains Housing Trust support East Cheshire Hospice as their chosen corporate charity, and so asked staff for interest in taking part in the skydive.

Amazingly, 45 staff were keen to take part, and so the lucky 10 were names picked out of the hat.

They include Chris Coppenhall, income officer, Claire O’Connor, business support officer, Craig Browne, joiner, and Gina Braithwaite, new tenancy Support Officer.

Others who threw themselves groundward from height include Harry Moss, resident involvement apprentice, Isla Telford, financial inclusion officer, Lee Johnson, new tenancy team leader, Liam Hayes, income apprentice, Phil Ravenscroft, assistant supervisor, and Sharon Bacegalupo, independent living advisor.

Through individual fundraising, some team activities and corporate sponsorship, the team managed to raise over £3,500 for the hospice.

Tim Pinder, Chief Executive of Peaks & Plains, expressed his thanks to the brave team.

He said: “We are so proud of our team of skydivers. Not only are they incredibly brave for taking part in this challenge, they’ve also raised an impressive amount of money an important local cause.

“I’d like to pass on a huge thank you to all our sponsors for their support: Pure Imagination Design & Advertising, Automotive Leasing, Magnus Ltd, Sphere UK Design & Print, Cheshire Gap Deli and Golden Green Travel.”