Associate Practitioner Chris takes epic plunge for Pilgrims
Chris Jones from Margate raised an amazing £805 for Pilgrims Hospices by braving a tandem skydive on 27 October to raise vital funds for the charity. As an Associate Practitioner at the Thanet hospice, he knows how essential fundraising is to ensure Pilgrims’ compassionate care is available to local families when they need it the most.
Although an anxious flyer, making this a many-layered challenge for Chris, when the day came for him to take the plunge the weather conditions were perfect; blue skies, good visibility and very few clouds.
The whole experience was incredible; from the professional briefing, to the flight in the small Cessna Caravan plane, the exhilarating freefall and gentle but exciting parachute drop to the landing site. It was an awesome experience.Chris
He said: “The whole experience was incredible; from the professional briefing, to the flight in the small Cessna Caravan plane, the exhilarating freefall and gentle but exciting parachute drop to the landing site. It was an awesome experience, only made better by the professionalism and good humour of the Skydive Headcorn team and especially Simon, my instructor, in whom I had every confidence.”
With the help of his colleague and ‘wingwoman’ Kathleen Steel, who helped spread the word and encouraged people to sponsor him, Chris was able to raise a fantastic £805 for Pilgrims.
Chris has worked as an Associate Practitioner at the Thanet hospice for eight years, supporting patients and carers to live well in the face of incurable illness.
He said: “We have a passion to give our patients the opportunity to live a life where they are fully supported, not just with their medical needs but with their holistic needs as well.
“Most importantly for me, in my role I’m able to offer a safe space for our patients and their carers to come in, meet people in a similar situation and offer therapies like reminiscence, creative projects or simply a good game of Boccia. By doing this, I feel I’m able to provide the support they need in the way they want it.
“The Associate Practitioner role is such a diverse role in the hospice. I’m proud to be part of our dynamic Therapy Centre team, especially at a time when the service and the role are evolving in such a positive way.”
Inspired to follow in Chris’s footsteps and experience the adrenaline-fuelled adventure of a lifetime? Take on a tandem skydive for Pilgrims Hospices on Saturday 1 June or Saturday 7 September 2019; find out more and apply today.
