Adrenaline, excitement, scary, tears. All the different emotions from the dedicated nurses and doctors from Ward 15 Annex at Birmingham Children's Hospital.
Every day, Sophie Burrows, Vicky Hatton-Walters, Jasmine Tranter and Maariya Mahmood care for children who have been diagnosed with primary bone cancer.
Joined by Jonathan Stevenson, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, in Birmingham and a Trustee of the Bone Cancer Research Trust, they took on an exhilarating skydive and collectively raised £4,450 for the charity with the hope of advancing research and improving outcomes.
They witness the strength of these young people and their families every day, and they also see the heartbreak and devastation this disease brings.
The team spoke to us about their skydiving experience:
What inspired you to take on a skydive as a Team for the Bone Cancer Research Trust?
Jasmine: Completing a skydive has always been a personal ambition of mine. I felt it was the perfect opportunity to fulfil a dream while also supporting a meaningful cause.
Vicky: Seeing the impact of bone cancer firsthand on both the patients and their families motivated us to support Bone Cancer Research Trust. I am always so inspired by the children and young people undergoing treatment.
Maariya: We are so closely connected to the patients’ journeys which was a huge motivation for us and deepened the whole experience.
Sophie: I do have a strong fear of flying so this was a significant personal challenge for me! The patients we care for are so resilient and brave, I wanted to push myself out of my comfort zone and raise as much money as possible.
Jonathan: I wanted to raise money for the Bone Cancer Research Trust as the UK’s leading charity dedicated to funding research into bone cancer and support the hard work of Ward 15 Annex.
What difference do you hope the funds raised will make?
All: We hope the funds we've raised will make a difference by helping to fund research and support the individuals who are affected by bone cancer.
What would you say to someone who’s considering sponsoring you but hasn’t yet?
All: Bone cancer is a very underfunded type of cancer in the UK and wider. Donating can support this incredible charity to put more work into finding a cure and gives patients – and us- a reason to hope.
How did you feel during your skydive - nervous, excited - or a mix of both?
Vicky: It was scary but amazing!
Jasmine: I was just glad that I didn’t faint or have a cardiac arrest!!
Maariya: I felt nervous and excited, but it was an amazing experience!
Sophie: I cried my way to 13,000ft, but once you’re in free fall you feel amazing!
Jonathan: I had mixed emotions of excitement and fear
If you’re feeling inspired by this amazing team, you can sign up for a skydive with #TeamBones and you'll receive all the training you need on the day. Find out more here
No experience required!
Donate to Ward 15 Annex
Making skydive memories!
