SKYDIVING FUNERAL DIRECTOR
RAISES £1500 FOR LOCAL CHARITIES
St Neots’ only completely Independent Funeral Director, Andrew Hickson, owner of Kingfisher Independent Funeral Services in Cemetery Road, St Neots, has raised a magnificent £1500 by jumping from an aeroplane.
The skydive involved climbing to 12,000 feet, free-falling for 35 seconds and reaching speeds of up to 140mph, then deploying a parachute to return safely to the ground.
All the money raised from the challenge has been divided between Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice, Moggerhanger, our local palliative care provider, who care for patients with illnesses such as cancer, heart, lung and liver diseases and multiple sclerosis, and the Little Paxton Church for Tomorrow Project, which is raising for funds to refurbish the Church interior, its clock and bells.
The tandem skydive was funded personally by Andrew, meaning that every penny raised was donated directly to the two good causes.
Andrew said “The skydive was a huge personal challenge for me, as I hate heights. The adrenalin was really flowing once it became obvious that there was only one way down.
“But the view, the sheer rush of enjoyment, and knowing that it was being done to benefit such excellent local causes made it all worthwhile.
“As the only locally-owned, completely Independent Funeral Director in St Neots, I am proud to show my support for the excellent work done by so many local charities, and the ongoing appeals in local villages.”
Tori Bray-Whitworth, Challenge Fundraiser at St John's Moggerhanger said "Andrew has done amazingly well, both in finding the courage to jump out of the plane, and in his fundraising, which is often the harder part of the challenge. He has raised a fantastic amount that can really help St John's Hospice. The £750 Andrew has raised pays for the equipment to help someone with cancer manage their pain."
The Revd Annette Reed, Vicar of Little Paxton Church added “Andrew’s skydive is by far the craziest way that someone has raised funds for our Church for Tomorrow Project. I didn’t believe him when he first said he was going to do it, but having seen the photos we all think he is very brave. Everyone is very grateful for Andrew’s efforts, and it really does prove that money can fall out of the sky!”
The photographs show the Sky Dive taking place, and cheques for £750 each being presented to the fundraising team at St John’s Hospice and the congregation at Little Paxton Church.
Further information from Andrew Hickson, Kingfisher Independent Funeral Services, Gate Lodge, Cemetery Road, St Neots, PE19 2BX, telephone (01480) 471001, email info@kingfisherfunerals.co.uk, on the internet www.kingfisherfunerals.co.uk
