The-Angel-Charity-SkyDive
After asking for sponsorship around The Angel, Bradford Street, Braintree, I was shocked at the amount of interest and the amount of people that had 'always wanted to do a skydive'
So we've grouped together and collectively, we're raising money for the hospice that helped my Auntie Steph (you can read about her below)
I've managed to raise over £500 already so with everybody else, I think we're on target to raise £1000.
PLEASE GIVE GENEROUSLY FOR AN AMAZING CAUSE!
Picture the scene...15th June 1991 and Stephanie Baldwin's 37th Birthday. My Mum is heavily pregnant with a bouncy baby girl due any time and Stephanie has her sister (my Mum!) doing star-jumps, cutting the grass and running around like a headless chicken, trying to bring on her labour so I was born on her birthday.
But no...I was far too comfy and waited until the next day. So, Sunday 16th June 1991, I was born at Princess Alexandra Hospital, Harlow. I was raised in Harlow and my close-knit family all lived in the surrounding areas.
In 2004, Auntie Steph was diagnosed with cervical cancer (She'd battled it 20 years previous). I was heart-broken. At the tender age of 13, I didn't understand what cancer really was. I didn't understand she was loosing her hair, I didn't understand what radiotherapy was. After the cervical cancer spreading to her ovaries, a full hysterectomy and a third of her liver removed, Auntie Steph unfortunately died in 1st February 2010.
Towards the end of her life, she was very fragile and constantly in and out of hospital. I was living 200 miles away at University but I came back home and visited as often as I could.
Auntie Steph spent many weeks at St Clare's Hospice in Hastingwood, near Harlow and so, in turn, I spent a large amount of time there too.
The nurses, doctors and staff were amazing. Words can't describe the pain and suffering they see day in, day out, yet they carry on with their normal every day lives and keep smiling, beaming positivity, hope and inspiration.
It wasn't just Auntie Steph that the staff looked after either. Every time I visited, I was greeted by a friendly face and without saying a word, I always knew that they were there if I ever need 'a chat'.
I can't thank the staff and volunteers at St Clare's Hospice enough for making my aunties last day's as comfortable and peaceful as they did.
I'm doing a skydive in memory of Auntie Steph and to raise money and awareness for St Clare's Hospice. I aim to raise £600 by jumping out of an aeroplane 13,000 ft off the floor. Crazy? Maybe. But the pride that I'll feel after completing the jump is nothing compared to what the staff at St Clare's should be feeling.
I thank each and every one of them, from the bottom of my heart.
"Only an Auntie can give hugs like a mother, can keep secrets like a sister and share shoes like a best friend."
