Cousins brave skydive for Willow Wood

Two brave cousins have taken a huge leap by jumping out of a plane to raise a fantastic £600 for Willow Wood Hospice.

Hannah Whalley, 29, and her older cousin Rosie Lawton, 32, who both live in Stalybridge, completed the epic skydive from 14,000ft at Skydive North West in the Lake District.

They decided to take on the daring challenge after their grandad Michael Washer was cared for by the dedicated team at Willow Wood Hospice in Ashton-under-Lyne.

Michael was diagnosed with prostate cancer which became bone cancer and, after staying in the hospice for just over a week, he sadly passed away in June this year at the age of 77.

Hannah said: “I loved coming to the hospice to visit my grandad, I never wanted to leave. The nurses were amazing and really lovely, they also made sure me and my family were looked after as well as my grandad.

“I wanted to do something to support the hospice and something a bit different for me.

“I was scared beforehand because I’m terrified of heights and I don’t like flying but, once I was in my suit and boarding the plane, I was fine.

“It was a gorgeous day and we could see Blackpool and the Isle of Man from the sky.

“I would like to thank Lisa Buckley and the team at Willow Wood Hospice for all of their help with the skydive.

“Thank you to everyone who sponsored me and to my family for all of their support.”

Hannah was cheered on by her nine-year-old daughter Annie on the day.

“She was wearing a t-shirt to support me and shouted ‘love you’ which was just so lovely,” Hannah added.

Hannah enjoyed the experience so much that she is thinking of doing another skydive to support the hospice in the future.

By Adam Higgins