On April 13th this year, I will be taking the ultimate leap of faith, freefalling from 15,000ft at speeds reaching up to 120mph+

I'm doing this skydive to help raise extremely vital funds in support of this beautiful hospice. The Kirkwood provides specialist and loving, palliative care to the people across Kirklees who are living with life limiting illnesses from diagnosis to their final days. We support patients and their loved ones, in their own homes, care homes or in our in patient unit, in our building in Dalton, Huddersfield.

I have worked for Kirkwood for almost 2 decades, first learning my 'trade' on the in patient unit as an auxiliary nurse and then for the passed 17 years as qualified staff nurse. The second I walked through the door all those years ago, I knew it was the place I was always ment to be and I've never changed my mind 😊

I am incredibly proud to work in a place that provides such exceptional care, I see the difference we make to every single person in our care every single day and it is heartbreaking to know that this year, we are in a huge financial crisis which means myself and my colleagues are at risk of losing our very much loved jobs, as some of us will be made redundant and some of our support for the people of Kirklees must be curtailed.

I know I also speak on behalf of my colleagues when I say that, it's not just a job, it's a passion. We are dedicated and committed to providing high standards of care to everyone at the end of their lives. Its the little things such as seeing a patient's face light up when they have a bubbly jacuzzi bath, often for the first time in their lives, or seeing them enjoy amazing food, even if they can only manage a tiny mouthful, or walking past their room to see their, often, very much missed dog, laying on their bed beside them, not to mention the seeing the look of relief on their loved one's faces, when they know they can stay overnight in a comfy bed to be with their special person during their time with us.

Please dig deep and help me raise as much as possible to keep this amazing place going! Be it a penny or a pound, every donation is massively appreciated.

We can't always give days to life, but we always give life to days.

Thankyou

Anna-Marie Fearnley