Skydive raises over £5,000 for Prospect Hospice

A charity skydive involving Just For Fun Holiday Club co-founder Sean Harper has raised £5,320 for Prospect Hospice after finally getting off the ground following delays caused by poor weather.

Sean completed the jump at Hinton Skydiving Centre in Brackley month alongside Sam Cottle, Toni Richards and Katie Pike, who stepped in after her husband Terry Cook was not medically cleared to take part.

The challenge, called One Last Jump, was inspired by Terry’s determination to complete a skydive as part of his bucket list after being diagnosed with a rare terminal cancer.

Although Terry was unable to make the jump himself, the group were determined to carry on and raise as much as possible for Prospect Hospice, which has supported Terry and his family, who live in Swindon, throughout his cancer journey.

Sean said finally completing the jump was worth the wait, and added: “It was an unforgettable experience, and jumping at sunset made it even more special.

“The views were incredible and the adrenaline was unreal. My family were there supporting me too, which meant a lot. 

"My son had decided I was going to be Superman before I went, so hopefully I lived up to expectations.

“But the biggest thing was why we were doing it. We wanted to help Terry reach his target for Prospect Hospice, so to see that £5,000 figure reached is brilliant. 

"We’d love to push it even further now and raise as much as we possibly can.”

Terry, who lives in Stratton, Swindon, had originally planned to jump alongside Sean and Sam.

His wife, Katie, who works as a manager at Just For Fun Holiday Club, stepped in when Terry was not medically cleared to take part.

Katie said: “As time went on and Terry became less mobile, it became clear that I would be the one jumping."

After two cancelled dates, she was more than ready to finally get the challenge completed.

“I felt fine about the jump in the lead-up to it because by that point I just wanted to get up there and do it,” she said. 

“When it came to the actual day and it was time to jump, the nerves definitely kicked in and suddenly it felt very real. But knowing I was doing something so important for charity gave me the push I needed.”

The jump eventually took place at sunset and fell on Katie’s birthday, making an already memorable day even more special.

“The jump was completely out of this world and something I honestly won’t ever forget,” said Katie. 

“It was an amazing day and an incredible experience, made even more special by being surrounded by our family and friends. 

"Jumping at sunset on my birthday definitely made the whole experience even more memorable.”

The £5,320 raised will go to Prospect Hospice, which provides specialist end-of-life care and support to patients and families across Swindon, Marlborough, north Wiltshire, Lechlade and Fairford.

“Prospect Hospice have been truly amazing to us,” said Katie. “The care, knowledge and empathy shown by every employee and volunteer has been incredible."

Sean added, “Thank you to everyone who donated, shared the fundraiser, came along on the day or supported us in any way. 

"Hitting £5,000 is amazing, but the page is still open and if we can go beyond that and raise even more for Prospect Hospice, that would be fantastic.”

Anyone who would still like to support the challenge can donate through the One Last Jump GoFundMe page at https://www.gofundme.com/f/one-last-jump