9th June, 2023, Melanie Harriss
Kayleigh Wilson, Carla Andrews, Keelan Rix and Neil Gayton have signed up for a tandem skydive at Ellough Airfield, near Beccles, to raise vital funds for The Norfolk Hospice, Tapping House, a charity supporting and caring for families and patients with life-limiting illnesses.
It’s Keelan first time jumping from a plane, while it’s the second time round for Neil, and the third for Carla.
For Kayleigh, who will complete her second skydive, it holds a hugely personal significance, as she has successfully overcome stage four Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, having been diagnosed at the age of 18.
On Sunday (June 11), the day of the jump, she will also celebrate her 30th birthday and nearly 10 years of being cancer free.
Kayleigh had two years of treatment, which included a bone marrow transplant in March 2013, before she went into remission that July.
She said: “I try to take the positives from things, and I am confident I would not have lived my life the same, full, way if this had not happened to me, it definitely gave me a passion to live my life to the fullest.
“I did my first skydive last August. I love a good adrenaline rush and the freefall part of the jump is by far the best feeling. It’s hard to put into words, but I will happily go through the nerve racking lead up to experience it again.
“It’s nice to do something out of the office with my colleagues and you can’t get more ‘outside’ the office than this!”
Kayleigh, who is Tax Manager for Stephenson Smart, will be joined by her King’s Lynn colleague, Manager Neil, who previously skydived over a glacier in New Zealand.
He said he was worried that others would get nervous, which would make him feel nervous!
“It’s harder to pull out with others there so hopefully we can all encourage each other! A lot of people will benefit as the charity does great work for the local community.”
Carla, Accounts Senior at the Fakenham office, who is a skydiving stalwart- making this one her third, had some sound advice for her colleagues.
“My advice is to enjoy the ride. It is an amazing feeling of freedom. I’m really excited to have the opportunity to jump again and for such a great cause. It feels great to do it as a team for a common purpose.”
For Accounts Assistants Keelan, who work in the Fakenham office, it’s his first experience.
Keelan said: “I’m doing it to push me out of my comfort zone. I like an adrenaline rush. I’m trying not to think about it beforehand, but I think I’ll be having a cold beer when I get home!”
Keelan is being joined on the day by his mum Heidi, who will also jump for the first time and Accounts Assistant Cassy Sturman will be cheering on her husband Jordan. He will skydive in memory of his mum who passed away from cancer in January 2022.
Cassy said: “Jordan is doing it for her. I like to fund raise for Tapping House and ran the London marathon for them back in 2017. My grandmother recently got awarded a British Empire Medal for her charity work and is a bit of a super fundraiser for Tapping House.
“My mother-in-law didn’t go to Tapping House, but I know they care greatly for people with end- of-life care and it’s a lovely place with lovely people.”
Nicola Ellis, Chief Executive at The Norfolk Hospice, Tapping House, based at Hillington near King’s Lynn, said she was grateful for the support given to the charity by Stephenson Smart.
“Every penny counts, so we are so really touched that the team are going to be doing such a brave thing to fundraise for us. We rely really heavily on fundraising support, so this means such a lot to us and we’re looking forward to hearing all about their experience.”
To sponsor the team click here
