Natalie Wallwork, a Poynton resident and employee of East Cheshire Hospice, recently completed a skydive which raised over £1,000 for her employer.  

The hospice, based in Macclesfield, provides "a warm and welcoming space for adults facing life-limiting illness", according to its website.  

Natalie emphasises, however, that without donations the hospice would struggle to run, operating as it does at a cost of £7,500 per day. This is why she decided to brave the altitude and skydive to raise some money.

Although her original target was £300, the fundraiser has since garnered over three times that amount, currently standing at £1,016.

"I'm absolutely blown away with how much I've raised", said Natalie.

"I didn't expect to raise that much. I remember saying to my partner, 'I don't even think I'll get to £300. But I reached that in 24 hours and have now raised almost £1100.

"Thank you to everyone who has donated. Whether it is friends, family, or even a couple of patients at the Hospice."

Natalie's colleagues Pippa and Sarah also joined her on the skydive, and raised separate amounts themselves. 

The leap out of the plane took place on an airfield in Whitchurch, Shropshire.

In her capacity at the hospice, Natalie offers different relaxation therapies and wellbeing treatments to their patients, relatives, and her fellow staff.

She was inspired to start working in hospices following her mother's breast cancer diagnosis, which led to her meeting a number of therapists who offered treatment for chemotherapy patients. 

"After that, I decided it was something I wanted to get into. I enrolled in a course for therapists to adapt their work into Hospice settings, and having spent four years now doing this for East Cheshire Hospice I haven't looked back since. It is an amazing place to work."

She described the dive as both terrifying and calming. "Shuffling up to the edge [of the plane] was probably the most nerve-wracking moment", she said. 

But after free-fall, when the parachute opens, she describes it as incredibly quiet and peaceful. "You could see the lovely patchwork fields, Liverpool, and was far as Wales", she adds. 

Luke Brightmore, Marketing and Communications Manager for East Cheshire Hospice, commended Natalie for her feat.

"Our clinical staff are face-to-face with patients and families every day and experience the immense highs and lows of their journeys along with them, so it's always inspiring to see staff members fundraising and taking on challenges to further support the work they do", he said. 

"Natalie's daring skydive not only exemplifies her unwavering dedication to our patients but also demonstrates how varied and exciting life as a Hospice staff member can be!

"We're incredibly proud and thankful for her support and enthusiasm."

You can still donate to Natalie's fundraiser by clicking HERE.

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