A local pilates instructor took a brave leap of faith as she took part in a sponsored sky dive as part of the Go Blue campaign to raise funds for the Children’s Hospice South West, where Writhlington School pupil, Lucia Robinson, was cared for.

Karen Weeks, who runs Core Pilates, along with Nick Green and her nephew, who was celebrating his eighteenth birthday, completed their skydive last Friday, 4th September. The jump was not only to help continue to raise awareness of the campaign and money for the hospice, but also to honour one of Lucia’s wishes, by taking some of her ashes on the

journey with them.

Karen said: “Arriving at Hinton Airfield with my parents in tow, there were no nerves in sight. The team at the centre are amazing, they have the ability to fully brief you, but put you at ease at the same time. Stuart, my instructor, noticed that I was carrying a small velvet pouch containing some of Lucia’s ashes – taking her to the skies with me was one of the most important parts of the day, it was her dream and therefore, we were going to fulfil it.

Stuart ensured that the jumpsuit I would wear had a suitable pocket on the sleeve that could contain the pouch safely and be somewhere that I could hold as we jumped.

“The three of us walked Top Gun style with our instructors from the Manifest hut to the airfield. We were run through our final briefing and loaded onto a military plane. After take off, we were kept informed of our height, location, shown sights out the windows and talked through how the jump would go. My exit was to be standing, with my legs back through Stuart’s, a quick count to two and an easy, happy jump out into the skies. The first thing that you feel is freedom, wind hitting your torso and the overwhelming urge to smile. Just before the canopy was released, Stuart said: “This is the perfect time to take a moment to remember Lucia,” so we did, in the beauty of the blue sky, white fluffy clouds and the silence of the open space.

“When we landed, we all said we would do it straight away again if we could.

Taking Lucia on a journey that she wished to do, made us proud and very emotional, but I was so lucky to have been able to share this experience with Nick. We will have this memory forever and will always remember Lucia when we look up into the sky.”

So far, Karen and Nick’s fundraising total has exceeded £2,600 (with over £3,000 including gift aid). They said they were overwhelmed by the generosity of their friends, family, clients and work colleagues, who have not only helped raise this terrific amount, but have also helped raise awareness of the Hospice.

The pair have been raising funds for the Children’s Hospice South West through www.virginmoneygiving.com/someonespecial/GoBlue, for more information about the campaign and to donate. Readers can watch a video of the trio’s brave sky dive at: https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=w-QohXZMRH4