Kind-hearted friends take to the skies for patients that inspired them
A caring sister and her close friend are set to leap thousands of feet to help teenagers with cancer and wounded military personnel.
Friends and Medical Secretaries at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, Linsey May and Aisling Dowd, will jump thousands of feet in a death-defying skydive to raise money for QEHB Charity.
Linsey, 28 from Longbridge, was roped into the jump by close friend and colleague Aisling, from Moseley. The pair will take to the skies at Hinton Airfield in Brackley on 15th August, raising money for QEHB Charity’s Military Patient Fund and the Young Person’s Cancer Unit (YPU).
Aisling, who recently turned 27, said: “I have always wanted to take part in a skydive. It’s one of those bucket-list ambitions and I couldn’t think of a better cause.
“My brother Daniel was diagnosed with leukaemia when he was just 18 months old. He beat it the first time, but sadly it came back when he was five. I donated bone marrow and thankfully he has since made a healthy recovery, and is now a happy 25 year old!
“I’ve decided to donate to YPU at the QE as, working at the hospital, I have seen first- hand the kind of added extras that are funded by QEHB Charity.
“Being a family member of someone who has cancer means that I know how hard it can be, and how important the small things become. I want to be able to help other patients like my brother.”
Linsey added: “Aisling and I have been friends for over four years, so when she asked me to join her for the jump I knew I had to say yes!
“I’m terrified, but I know it will be worth it in the end. Aisling is going to jump after me, because if I don’t go first I won’t go at all!
“It’s a big deal to push yourself to that kind of limit, so I hope lots of people sponsor us for being brave!
“As well as YPU, we’ve also decided to donate our sponsorship money to the Military Patients Fund at QEHB Charity.
“Since starting work at the QE we’ve both come across some amazing patients who were injured in battle but persevere and pull through.
“They’re really inspiring so we wanted to do something to help in whatever way we can.”
Laura Power, Fundraising Officer at QEHB Charity, said: “We are very grateful to both Linsey and Aisling for taking up our skydive challenge!
“The money they raise will make a huge difference to military and cancer patients at the hospital.
“I’d like to wish them the best of luck and hope they enjoy the jump!”
To support patients please donate today or call 0121 371 4852.
