READY, SET, JUMP! 76-YEAR-OLD TAKING ON SKYDIVE IN MEMORY OF HIS PARTNER WHO WAS CARED FOR BY ST ANN'S HOSPICE

Tom Lowery is all set for his parachute jump which he is doing in memory of his partner to raise money for the hospice that supported her.

Joan Lyons, Tom's partner of 24 years, was a patient at St Ann's Hospice in Little Hulton and was cared for there until she died in March last year.

Joan had been ill for three months with a brain tumour. Tom says "Joan received excellent care from St Ann's Hospice despite being in the throws of the latter months of the pandemic."

Tom, a retired HGV driver and Royal Signals veteran, who himself is going through health issues following his own cancer diagnosis, is 76 years old but is more than prepared for his parachute jump this month in aid of St Ann's Hospice. 

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"It's quite simple really, I'm just going to get in the plane and jump out!"

Tom has chosen to embark on the skydive as he says this has been on his bucket list for a long time. "I want to raise money and awareness for St Ann's Hospice because of the brilliant support they give to their patients. 

Tom, who had to get the all clear from his doctor for the jump following his diagnosis, said:

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"I have prostate cancer so the drugs that I'm on have made me too weak to take on a 24 hour walk or a marathon. This is the next best thing I can do; I've never done a parachute jump before so I'm very excited." 

Tom will be doing the parachute jump later this month in Lancashire, with Joan's daughters and grandchildren watching and supporting him. He has already surpassed his target of raising £500 but is asking for more donations in memory of Joan.

Tom, continued:

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"All the family are very excited and can't believe I'm doing a skydive. We all want to raise as much money as possible for such a great cause that supported Joan. Her last days were spent peacefully at the hospice and their incredible staff provided our family with kindness, support and a much-needed sense of peace at the end of her life.

"So far I've raised over £800, and we'd love for this number to keep rising so the hospice can continue helping their patients and provide them with the care they need."

Anne-Marie Wynne, Head of Fundraising and Capital Campaign, says: "We are delighted that Tom is doing this amazing challenge to raise money for St Ann's Hospice – he's braver than all of us!

"Every single donation makes a difference and helps us to continue providing the vital care and support to all those who visit our hospice." 

 

To donate to Tom for his parachute jump, his JustGiving page can be found here.