Furniture team set for skyhigh challenge

14th May 2018

A furniture team will be jumping out of a plane for South Yorkshire's only children's hospice this July.

The 15,000-feet skydive at Sibson Airfield near Peterborough will be a first for every member of the 16-strong team from Next Furniture Manufacturing in Armthorpe, which chose the challenge as part of its fundraising for Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice. Team member David Gelder said: -We picked Bluebell Wood as our charity after everyone put their suggestions in a hat, and it was pulled out. Russ Hall at Bluebell Wood invited me to come and look round the hospice and I loved it. Everyone was so friendly and welcoming. When I heard that over 90% of funding relies on fundraising, we all knew it was important to raise as much as we could. -We realise the amazing work Bluebell Wood does supporting the whole family during really difficult times, giving them the chance to relax, take a break and have fun. -We all thought a skydive would be a big experience and great for team bonding. Even though some of us are scared of heights and flying, we will be conquering our fears together. We hope people will help us on our flying journey and support a great charity by sponsoring our jump. Russ Hall, Corporate Fundraiser, Bluebell Wood, said: -We'd like to thank the Next furniture team for really testing their nerves with this skydive. We hope they have an amazing time. Every penny raised will help us offer the support our families need, from music therapy, sibling groups and arts and crafts to counselling, short breaks and end of life treatment and care. To sponsor the team's skydive please visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/david-gelder24 If you'd like to skydive for Bluebell Wood please visit http://www.bluebellwood.org/support-us/events/find-your-nearest-event/skydive-4/, email eventsteam@bluebellwood.org or telephone 01909 517 365.