Record breaking skydive raises thousands for Sheffield charity

The brave quintet’s daredevil plunge in aid of Sheffield Churches Council for Community Care (SCCCC) is thought to have been the highest tandem skydive ever completed in the UK.

Now charity fundraising chiefs hope others will follow in the footsteps of Arron Whitehouse, Joseph Price, Simon Cole, Gayle Dooley and Alice Skipworth to take on money raising challenges as Covid-19 restrictions continue to ease.

The charity’s plea follows a year in which the charity has delivered unprecedented levels of support to older people in Sheffield, but in which many supporters have had to cancel their usual fundraising activities.

Ericka Hill, fundraiser at SCCCC, said: “We’re so incredibly proud of these five fundraisers, who’ve kicked off our fundraising year in style and raised an incredible amount of money to enhance the lives of older people right here in Sheffield.

“Like so many good causes, we’re facing a funding shortfall due to many of our usual fundraising events having to be suspended because of the pandemic. But whether it’s a run, walk, skydive or anything else besides, we’re incredibly keen to hear from anyone who would be prepared to raise money for us after the most difficult of years.”

One of the fundraisers, Simon Cole, said before his jump: “My wife has worked as an NHS nurse for many years, supporting hospital discharges and preventing hospital admissions by supporting and monitoring vulnerable and isolated older people in their own homes.

“It’s as part of this work that she has seen first-hand the incredible work SCCCC does to enhance the care of older people in the community. She’s told me about a great many people the charity has helped over the years.”

To donate to SCCCC, visit www.scccc.co.uk/donate.