No Age Limit for Florence’s Skydivers
Fearless Shiela Ansell from Wendover jumped from a plane 10,000 feet up in aid of Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity (FNHC) in Aylesbury on Sunday 4 September. What makes this even more remarkable is that Shiela is the Charity’s oldest skydiver so far, completing the challenge at the age of 78.
“Unfortunately I’ve had a lot of friends who have had to use the Hospice,” explained Shiela. “The staff there are so lovely and supportive. I also use the Lymphoedema Clinic, so have even more reason to raise money for the Charity.”
Shiela, who has ten grandchildren, raised over £900 for the Hospice from her jump. “I’m still on a high,” she said. “I can’t wait to do it again. I had a fantastic ‘buddy’, Geoff, and he and the cameraman Steve were brilliant. If I had been nervous at all, they would have put me at my ease. It was all so well organised.”
She was joined on the Skydive by Carol Leach and Jade Rooney, both from Leighton Buzzard, who raised £600 and £1,645 respectively for the Hospice.
Speaking of the Hospice, Shiela said, “I just wish it was bigger, that there was more space for people, because there obviously is a need.”
If you would like to take on a challenge for Florence, whether it’s running a marathon, walking 100km or doing a skydive, please contact FNHC’s Teresa King on 01296 429975 or email challenge@fnhospice.org.uk
FNHC needs to raise over £650,000 a year to provide vital funding for in-patient and at-home hospice care services for local families battling life-limiting illness in Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire and Oxfordshire .