A challenge of 10,000 feet over Shropshire and Cumbria
We're delighted to share that four members of Mersey Care staff have courageously signed up for a charity sky dive to raise funds in support of our specialist mental health and community services - allowing us to fund projects that can tackle health inequalities, challenge stigma and enable us to do more outside the scope of the NHS.
The challenge will take place on Saturday 18 May during Mental Health Awareness Week and will see our fearless fundraisers ascend to 10,000+ feet before experiencing the sensation of freefall and gliding over the local countryside.
Corporate Business Manager, Michael Rout will head to Whitchurch Airfield in Shropshire to take to the skies for a tandem skydive organised by Skyline events, alongside Capital Projects Estates Manager, Rachael Marsh and Trainee Estates Officer, Naomi Lloyd.
Writing on his fundraising page, Michael shared:
“On 18 May I’ll be doing a sponsored skydive on behalf of Mersey Cares Charity, for Mental Health Awareness Week. I don’t like heights and I don’t like flying, so I thought that this would be a good idea… it’s for a great cause after all."
Speaking ahead of the event he told us:
This is going to be the scariest day of my life and I doubt I will do anything like it again! I am equal parts excited and terrified but I am committed to going through with it because it is such a great cause!"
Meanwhile, up in Grange over Sands, Eleanor Booth, a mental health practitioner for the early intervention team, will take on her challenge supported by an experienced Skyline instructor over Northwest England.
Eleanor signed up to the sky dive as she wants to support Trust services beyond the scope of the NHS.
"I chose Mersey Cares because I think it’s a really important charity as you strive to put a lot of things in place for service users and families that the front line services don’t really have the facilities to do. I think social activities and opportunities are really important for the services around Mersey Care to try and tackle loneliness and help to give people more of a voice."
Speaking in the run up to the event she said she hoped that taking part in the sky dive would further highlight the work done by Mersey Cares in supporting services.
"I was keen to give something back especially during Mental Health Awareness Week and support something that is clearly needed. The work you do should really be more well known."
We wish our fabulous four the best luck - and we'll see them at the airfield!
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