Swindon nurse to skydive to raise money for Prospect Hospice

Heidi Stanton, 43, from Peatmoor is a newly qualified nurse after passing as an assistant practitioner last September. 

She is currently working on the Kingfisher wards in Swindon's Great Western Hospital where she has completed further training specifically around end-of-life care. 

And it was on a visit to a local charity during this training that she became inspired to carry out a gravity-defying skydive to raise money. 

"One of the days meant visiting the Prospect Hospice, in Wroughton, when we were there we spoke to different people and had a walk round, I learned that the government only provides a quarter of the money towards the costs 

"They've cut half of their beds, they only have six beds now, and they do such good work in caring for people at the end of their life."

Heidi said that the visit tugged on her heartstrings and 'like a crazy person' decided to do something to help. 

She's now just days away from completing the feat and has set up a GoFundMe page to help raise money for the worthy cause.

At the time of writing, she has raised £900 of the £700 she was asking for, but is hoping to further exceed that target because of how valuable the Prospect Hospice is. 

"The staff not only help care for the dying patient but also their families and do make a difference. So, I am here to ask for your help," she said. 

"I will be jumping from 15,000 feet to raise money for this amazing charity to try and help make a difference and I hope that people will join me in making a difference!"

The Prospect Hospice provides the only dedicated specialist end-of-life care in Swindon, Marlborough, north Wiltshire, Lechlade and Fairford.

Last year Prospect Hospice supported more than 7,300 people; as patients, carer's and family members, through a range of services developed to bring care, comfort and confidence at life's most difficult time.

That cost £8.4 million pounds to raise funds and deliver our range of services.