By Leicester Mercury | Posted 10 August, 2012
I lost my father, Ken, after a 16-month battle with cancer at Christmas last year. He was just 47 when he died. My dad spent his last few weeks of life in the care of the team at the LOROS hospice. They made those last few weeks as comfortable as possible and cared for every need, not only for my dad, but for our whole family. They even helped him to feel well enough to come home for Christmas Day, which I'll cherish forever.
Before my dad's illness, I was unaware of exactly what the charity LOROS was about and the whole experience has had such a big impact on me.
I decided in February that I wanted to help raise money for the charity, as I wanted to give something back and to help support them in whatever way I could.
I chose the One Big Skydive 2012 event. It had never crossed my mind before that I would ever want to do something like this, but I thought I would take on the challenge. My dad would have thought I was crazy, as many others did, but I knew he would be proud of what I was trying to achieve.
On the day of the dive, I wasn't nervous at all; I don't think it had sunk in as to exactly what I was about to do. My instructor was lovely and filled me with confidence. It wasn't until I was suspended out of the plane door, looking out at nothing but cloud, that I thought 'what are you doing?'
The whole freefall experience wasn't what I imagined it to be; it wasn't scary, just exciting and that was the highlight for me.
On the landing area, I had friends and family supporting me. Emotions got the better of me when I did eventually land, knowing what I'd just achieved and what I was doing it for. It was such an amazing once-in-a-lifetime experience for me, and I will certainly never forget it.
In February, I was hoping to raise £500 and I felt that would be difficult to achieve, but in total I raised £1,706.68, which amazed me. I have seen first-hand where this money goes and how it is used to help people, and I am very proud that I have been able to support this amazing charity.
People were so supportive of me, and I was overwhelmed by it. Even people who didn't know me or my situation sponsored me for this great cause. I couldn't have done it without this support, and I am so grateful. I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who was involved and to everyone who donated. Thank you.
