Dorset Chamber’s chief executive, Ian Girling, is preparing to conquer his lifelong fear of heights … by leaping from a plane at 10,000 feet!
As part of a charity skydive to raise funds for Lewis-Manning Hospice Care, on September 21st, Ian will join other brave participants at Old Sarum Airfield in Salisbury to support the hospice, which provides crucial care for patients with life-limiting illnesses across Dorset, Purbeck, and West Hampshire.
The skydive is part of Dorset Chamber’s 75th-anniversary celebrations, and Ian sees it as the perfect challenge to give back to the local community. ‘I have been absolutely terrified of heights my whole life – including going up ladders, being near high edges and balconies … I get weak-kneed and suffer real anxiety and panic in these situations. When I was asked to take part, I realised it would be a great opportunity to face my biggest fears, as well as raise money for a vital local cause.
‘Jumping out of a plane at 10,000 feet is the last thing I want to be doing!’ said Ian.
The hospice is appealing for more local people to join Ian and ‘Jump for a Nurse’ by signing up and taking part in the skydive.
Each jumper will be taking the plunge to raise vital funds for a specific nurse. Ian is raising money for senior staff nurse Ellie Suthers, who was among the welcome team at a ‘meet your nurse’ event at the hospice.
Lewis-Manning Hospice Care, based in Poole, provides free services such as hospice at home, bereavement support, breathlessness clinics and creative therapies. The charity needs to raise £3.9 million this year to maintain its services, which are free to patients.
Clare Gallie, chief executive of Lewis-Manning, said, ‘We’re super proud of all our amazing team of skydivers signed up so far and incredibly grateful to have Ian on board too. We would love more people to join in with this exciting challenge!’
Click here to sign up for the Jump For A Nurse skydive or to sponsor Ian visit his JustGiving page here.
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