Dedicated charity supporter Trish Thompson has reached new heights in her support for the Hospice of the Good Shepherd by making a skydive from nearly 13,000 feet – at the age of 84! “We were so high up I could hardly see the ground,” said Trish, from Tattenhall. “There was a brief moment of terror just before we jumped but I wasn’t really nervous and I was laughing when we landed!”
It’s not the first time that Trish, a charity supporter for over 40 years, has taken to the skies for the benefit of the hospice. In the early days of the hospice movement, her then husband was terminally ill and she naturally turned to the hospice team which provided help, support and advice. “They were brilliant,” she commented.
Trish became determined to fundraise for the hospice. The opportunity arose in 1989 through Chester Business Club. A wing walk was organised at British Aerospace, Boughton, with a Tiger Moth organised by the company. After the success of that event, she organised and undertook a charity parachute jump from 13,000 feet for the hospice.
Trish is a former nurse and health visitor who also served four years as a Captain in the Queen Alexandra’s Royal Army Nursing Corps (QARANC). Her fundraising exploits have included an abseil down the inside of Chester’s famous Shot Tower, followed by a challenge over the army assault course at Saighton Camp.
So far, Trish has raised £1,100 for the hospice from her latest exploit. “I’m really pleased to have done this, knowing how much hospices everywhere have to rely on donations and fundraising for their survival,” she added.
“Trish is amazing for even daring to take on this challenge,” said Head of Fundraising Justin Caroe. “We’re immensely grateful to her for setting such an incredible example and for her continued commitment to our hospice.”