Sheffield woman takes the plunge to thank hospital for caring for her granddad

A woman is on a high at the thought of a 15,000ft skydive to raise money for the Sheffield hospital which saved her grandad's life.

Georgina Needham, aged 24, from Parson Cross,is being sponsored to throw herself from a plane to raise cash for Weston Park Hospital.

The pharmacy dispenser, who works at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital, said she wants to thank those who treated and cared for her 78-year-old grandad Ian Bateman, when he had bowel cancer two years ago.

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It will be the second time she will be taking to the sky to raise cash for charity - after completing a skydive last year for the Make a Wish Foundation, which makes dreams come true for sick children.

The dare-devil has also raised money for Sheffield Children’s Hospital and Macmillan Cancer Support through two bungee jumps.

Georgina said: “I’m doing it this for Weston Park Hospital for getting my grandad through cancer.

“They are such amazing people - they work so hard and it takes a special person to do what they do.

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“So many family and friends would say the same thing, so I want to give something back to these guardian angels.

“They do it in a heartbeat and help take the fear away from people. They support you and family through all the treatment and make you feel less alone.”

Georgina, who hopes to raise hundreds of pounds through her skydive on Sunday, June 12, said: “The staff in the hospital never let you feel alone and it takes a special person to be able to do that day in, day out.

“I like to do these fundraising challenges because I am fit and healthy and able to do something I enjoy to help others.”

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Staff at Fletchers Bakery in Sheffield have also gone the extra mile for charity - and raised £4,191.80 in the process.

They spent 2015 raising cash for St Luke’s Hospice in Whirlow through events including an It’s a Knockout contest and a 5k obstacle course.

The company also entered a team into the hospice’s Night Strider event, joining a thousand people on a night walk through the streets of Sheffield.

It has pledged to try to raise another £5,000 for the hospice this year.

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General manager Jon Cooper said: “Fletchers Bakery are delighted to have supported St Luke Hospice.

“We are very proud to be involved with such a worthwhile Sheffield charity.

“We plan on continuing our support for St Luke’s throughout 2016 and doing more fund raising activities with the aim of beating our 2015 total.”

St Luke’s Corporate Fundraising Manager, Joasia Lesniak, added: “This is an incredible total and we are delighted that a Sheffield company like Fletchers is so keen to be associated with a Sheffield charity like St Luke’s.

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“Every penny they raise in the coming year will do so much to help the lives of St Luke’s patients and their families.”

Chesterfield law firm BRM Solicitors raised £9,742 for Chesterfield Royal Hospital’s Macmillan Cancer Centre Appeal through a free will writing initiative.

The law firm offered to write wills for free for two months and waived their fees, encouraging clients to make a donation to Macmillan instead.

It encouraged a £54 willfor a single will and £108 for a double.

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Macmillan is trying to raise £2.5 million to build a new cancer centre at Chesterfield Royal Hospital.

Rob Woodhead, head of wills and probate at BRM Solicitors, said: “The campaign was a huge success, giving people the opportunity to make a will who otherwise may not have done so, whilst at the same time raising awareness of the Cancer Centre Appeal.

“Many clients chose to donate more than the suggested £54, showing their support for Macmillan’s vital work. The money raised will help to improve the lives of people affected by cancer.”

Sheffield based charity Support Dogs was presented with a £500 cheque from the Dransfield Foundation.

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The donation forms part of a major fundraising push by a team of cyclists who rode from Munich to Berlin in September.

The 16 strong fundraising team fielded by Barnsley-based property developer, Dransfield Properties, raised more than £50,000 in their annual Tour of Europe ride last year.

The Dransfield Foundation was established in April 2014 to give grants and donations to good causes.

Support Dogs is a charity dedicated to helping people with a range of medical conditions maintain their independence.

It provides, train and supports specialist assistance dogs.