Doncaster nurse takes on first skydive to raise funds for suicide prevention charity

A district nurse has taken to the skies for her first ever skydive to raise awareness that young suicide can be prevented.

Marie Harris, Community Specialist Practitioner at Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust (RDaSH), volunteered for the jump to support her friend and colleague, Carol Sharpe, who lost her granddaughter to suicide.

Georgia Walsh took her own life in 2017 aged 16. The money that Marie raises will be given to Papyrus, a charity which aims to support education services in suicide prevention and intervention

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Marie said: “As a group of friends we wanted to do something for Carol and her family and help raise funds for their chosen charity ‘Papyrus’ which does amazing work on preventing suicide in young people.

“The skydive put me out of my comfort zone but it was worth it if other young lives can be saved.”

The 17,000 foot jump took place earlier this week.

Carol Sharpe, RDaSH Community Specialist Practitioner, said: “The family is still coming to terms with the loss of Georgia.

“She should have celebrated her 18th birthday this June. I wanted to mark this in some way and my groups of friends have worked with me to organise some charity events to raise money for Papyrus.

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“I hope by doing this we can raise awareness of the increase in young suicide and hopefully prevent a young person from taking their life and another family from suffering this loss.

“Thank you Marie, for bravely offering to do this and to my other friends for all their help and continued support.”

If you would like support Marie, Carol and their colleagues please go to www.justgiving.com/fundraising/marie-harris19