“Over a year ago, I discovered my Mum lying at the bottom of the stairs.  Although no one is sure, it is highly likely she fell from the top of the stairs onto a hard floor.  I accompanied her in the ambulance, to A&E and into a neuro ward. She had suffered two bleeds to her brain.  It was one of the most difficult moments in my life.

No one was allowed to visit her for her 3-week stay in hospital due to COVID-19.  Luckily, my cousin is a consultant at Southampton General, so he was able to be check in on her.  She had brain surgery and returned home almost a month later. It was then the hard work started, she had to re-learn how to do the everyday basics including walking safely, getting herself dressed and being able to hold a conversation.  The team at Snowden who specialise in neuro rehabilitation at Solent NHS Trust were amazing.  They visited her at home to undertake specialist physio and enable her to progress slowly but surely over several months until they felt sure she was in a good position to continue to make progress with family support.  A team of dedicated, hardworking and expert individuals who overcame the language barrier they faced with dignity and great respect that enabled my Mum to become herself again. 

Just last month, she was able to see her first grandchild’s wedding … a momentous occasion which was also the first time she stopped using mobility aids.

As I enter my 50^th year, I decided I would do something on my bucket list since my 40^th … a skydive!  I’m blessed I have a close friend who is as mad as I am, Rachel Cheal.  The freefall is 30 seconds … I am sure it will be the longest 30 seconds of my life (LOL!). 

We are funding the cost of the jump ourselves but we would like to use this occasion to raise money for Solent NHS Trust’s charity and, in particular, the Snowdon team.  If the money we raise can go some way to support others facing the same situation as my Mum, we would be honoured to have made that small difference for them.”

"Both Jas and I are jumping on 22 October,  - 10,000 feet with 30 seconds of freefall.

Our staff give such value to the Trust so raising money for
the Solent NHS Charity is my way of recognising their contribution and saying thank you for all their hard work. 

I’m absolutely terrified of small planes and petrified of
heights (having had some particularly bad flying experiences) so to jump out of a plane is a HUGE challenge for me. I’ll be overcoming some of my worst fears.

Nevertheless, I really believe in challenging yourself once
in a while, doing something that pushes you completely out of your comfort zone, and makes you feel alive.

I think this quote from Nelson Mandela sums up this challenge perfectly- 

"I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear"

We are incredibly grateful to all out sponsors. The funds will go to a great cause to help enhance and improve the working experience of patients and staff. "