A DARING duo from Rugby Borough Council will take the plunge next month to raise cash for the Mayor of Rugby’s charity.
Coun Simon Ward and Daksha Mistry have signed up for a charity skydive in aid of Rugby Myton Hospice, joining a team of fearless fund-raisers set to freefall 14,000 feet from the skies above Langar Airfield, near Nottingham, on Saturday September 30.
Coun Ward, the Deputy Mayor, was inspired to raise money for Myton in memory of his wife’s cousin, Katie Pritchard, who passed away from cancer in June.
Katie, who was chief bridesmaid at Coun Ward’s wedding, was just 37 and spent her final weeks being cared for at Myton Hospice in Warwick.
Coun Ward said: “The team at Myton Hospice were amazing, treating Katie with the utmost respect and dignity.
“Jumping out of a plane has never been something I’ve wanted to do, but Katie would always do things outside of her comfort zone, so I’m biting the bullet and stepping out of my comfort zone to raise money for Myton.”
Daksha, the council’s Mayor and civic officer, signed up for the skydive after spotting a poster promoting the fund-raiser during a tour of Rugby Myton Hospice with Mayor Maggie O’Rourke.
Daksha said: “Despite being scared of heights, I’ve long dreamed of doing a skydive.
“During the tour of the hospice, I was struck by the fantastic facilities and the staff’s dedication and commitment.
“We’re truly blessed to have a such a facility on our doorstep and I want to raise money to support it.”
Myton Hospice needs to raise more than £10.5million every year to run hospices in Rugby, Coventry and Warwick.
Rugby Myton Hospice, based in the grounds of the Hospital of St Cross, opened its doors 21 years ago following a successful £1 million fund-raising drive.
The hospice provides a range of care and support services for residents with life-limiting conditions, and also operates a ‘hub’ offering support, information and guidance to residents facing a terminal diagnosis.
Coun O’Rourke nominated Rugby Myton Hospice as her Mayoral charity after being involved in the original fund-raising drive to build the hospice.
She said: “I want to bring Rugby’s communities together to support the hospice’s ambitions to create a ‘chill out’ room for children and expand the hospice garden, which both promise to make a real difference to the quality of care the hospice offers.
“I’m delighted my Deputy Mayor, Simon, and Daksha have signed up for the charity skydive to get our fund-raising off to a flying start, and look forward to welcoming both back to terra firma after the jump.”
To donate, visit www.rugby.gov.uk/mytonsky and click on the links to Coun Ward and Daksha’s JustGiving pages.
Visit www.mytonhospice.org for more information about Myton Hospice.
