An intrepid father and daughter duo say they had ‘an amazing time’ when they leapt from 15,000ft to raise money for Weston Hospicecare.
Zoe Barker and dad Steve each completed a tandem skydive in memory of Zoe’s mum Lisa, who was cared for at the hospice last year.
Lisa spent seven weeks at the hospice’s inpatient unit in Uphill before she died aged 50, and Zoe said she was keen to take on the skydive challenge as a way of thanking the charity for the care it provided.
Zoe previously said of the hospice: “They are amazing, kind and brilliant at caring for people and families at such emotional, hard times in life.
“By making (my mum) feel so comfortable and settled for her last weeks and days, the hospice made me feel so much better, too.
“I just want to do as much as I can to make her proud, and raising money for the hospice will definitely be something that does that.”
The duo’s first scheduled skydive was postponed, but they eventually took the plunge last week – raising in excess of £1,650 towards the hospice’s work caring for people from across Weston-super-Mare and the surrounding area.
Zoe said: “Completing the skydive with my dad for Weston Hospicecare meant so much to me and we’re so proud to have raised over £1,650. It truly was an amazing time.
“I’m so grateful for the care and support they provided to myself and my family while caring for my mum Lisa for almost seven weeks last April/May after she was diagnosed with a terminal brain tumour. She passed away so peacefully at the hospice on 3rd May 2017.
“I truly hope she was flying by my side on Saturday; she’d think I was mad but would definitely be so proud of my achievements.
“I cannot thank the hospice enough for everything they did.”
And Steve added: “Saturday was a great day. Several friends have been looked after by the amazing staff at the hospice so I did it for them and to raise so much money is a great feeling.”
To make a donation in recognition of Zoe and Steve’s brave efforts, visit their Just Giving page.