Three staff members from Oakley Property in Brighton and Shoreham bravely took on the challenge of a skydive to raise money for the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) in the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath.
Sara Gavillet, Jason Ferguson and Alex Powrie all had their own reasons for taking on the challenge, and despite the inevitable nerves, they all really enjoyed the experience.
Thanks to their bravery, the trio presented our Corporate Fundraising Manager Amanda Hetherington with a cheque for over £2,300 last week.
Sara, an administrator at the property sales and letting company in Shoreham, has a personal connection to Rockinghorse which led her to fundraise for us. Sara said: “I was a sick baby, a twin, and I spent a long period in a baby unit with a severe sickness, away from my brother and family. I was on the verge of passing, but I made it.
“Without the experienced nurses and physicians who spent hours
with me and attached a life support equipment, I would not be doing this 15,000-foot skydiving today.
My mother has confided in me through the years about how tough and lonely it was for her. This is why I am so passionate about this charity.
“This is for all the mothers out there going through what my mother did all those years ago.”
For Jason, a senior sales negotiator in the same branch as Sara, it was a past experience that has spurred him on: “I did do a parachute jump nearly 20 years ago for my 30th birthday.
Because that was my first time, I always felt it was a bit of a blur and had said I would quite like to do another one where I knew what to expect.
“I hope to take in the experience better without being so utterly petrified as I was first time around!”
And finally, Alex, a sales negotiator at Oakley Property in Brighton, was inspired by the real-life stories on the Rockinghorse website. Alex said: “I love helping great causes, and I feel the Rockinghorse charity is exactly that! I’ve also never skydived and feel it would be a great experience.”
All three took to the skies in June at the GoSkydive centre in Salisbury, where
they jumped 15,000 feet back down to solid ground.
Emma Cunliffe, supporter engagement manager here at Rockinghorse “We are delighted that Oakley took part in this Skydive to raise money for the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU). It will go a long way to help improve facilities and provide the necessary equipment needed to continue high quality life-saving treatment”.
The company, based in Brighton and Shoreham, are keen to give something back to the community they work in and feel it’s important to support those around them.
Sara added: “I believe the money we have raised will make a huge difference to better the lives of the families and children in the Shoreham area. A random act of kindness – which is invaluable.”
Thanks to all three for their support, and bravery!
If you would like to do a skydive with your friends of colleagues, take a look here to find out how!
