Ashton nurse takes to the skies for charity skydive

AN ASHTON-UNDER-LYNE nurse has shown she has a head for heights by taking part in a fundraising skydive for the hospital at which she works.

Grace Maxwell was one of a team of eight from Manchester’s Christie Hospital who took to the skies.

The group, nurses who care for some of the most unwell cancer patients, took off on Saturday, May 10 at the Black Knights Parachute Centre in Lancaster, Lancashire and quickly came back down.

And it was all in aid of supporting the patients they treat.

“We all have the privilege of caring for cancer patients – many of whom come to us very unwell or experiencing complications from treatment,” said organiser Sarah Plent.

“It’s a challenging environment, but also incredibly rewarding to be part of a team that truly makes a difference.

“That’s why I convinced everyone to do the skydive together!”

Grace, 27, was joined by colleagues Rasleen Sharma, Rhiana Smith, Abbie Gunton, Natasha Rodway Studds and ward manager Catherine Clarke.

They have already broken their original £2,800 target, with the total standing at £3,740.

And for final team member Karyn Cocozza, the challenge was particularly personal, as she explained: “I did it to raise funds for The Christie Charity because I want to support our patients and patient care.

“As well as working in our amazing AAU (acute assessment unit), I was also a patient myself at The Christie in 2019 receiving treatment for breast cancer.

“My family carries the BRCA gene, as I do, so it’s a cause that’s very close to my heart.”

“Every day we see the courage and resilience that our patients show when undergoing treatment.

“What we did is nothing compared to that, but if we can raise awareness and funds to make life a little bit easier for these patients and to give them the opportunity to access groundbreaking treatment, trials and technology, then we are more than happy and proud to do our bit.