Hannah Jukes takes to the skies to raise money for hospice

Hannah Jukes

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Hannah Jukes, a teenager from Shawclough, will start 2015 on a high after signing up for a sponsored skydive in aid of Springhill Hospice, who cared for her nan who died of cancer last year.

Hannah, 16, will join a group of family members to complete the sky high challenge.

The family came up with the idea as a tribute to Hannah’s nan, June Jackson, 70, who died within weeks of being diagnosed with cancer in October last year.

Hannah, of Fallowfield Drive is the youngest member of her family to have pledged to rise to the sky-diving challenge.

She said: “I come from a large family - my mum is one of seven sisters - so a lot of my cousins, some uncles and aunts have also signed up. I think there will be 10 to 15 of us in all.” 

Hannah explained: “In her last weeks she went to Springhill Hospice in Rochdale. The staff were so caring and good to nan and to all of our family that we really wanted to show our appreciation. The hospice relies totally on donations to finance the work it does, so we decided we would undertake a major fundraising event as a family group.

“One of my cousins had done a sky dive before and suggested that we all do one on the same day. It was such a brilliant idea that a whole bunch of us agreed.”

“I’ve always wanted to do something daring like this, so I can’t wait. I don’t think there is much advance training involved beforehand. We just go there and it all happens in the one day - which is probably a good thing, as there won’t be too much chance to get nervous,” laughed Hannah.

As well as raising money, the family are hoping their joint challenge will raise awareness about the invaluable service Springhill Hospice provides to the local community.

Hannah said: “We really can’t thank the care team enough at Springhill Hospice. They were so kind to us and understanding. Even with such a large family, when my nan was near the end, they let my mum and all her sisters stay overnight to be near nan.”

June, of Newbold, Rochdale, is survived by husband Ernest, but he is currently unwell.

Hannah said: “He has suffered ill health for some time and my nan’s death hit him badly, it happened so quickly. Grandad is too weak to be there for the sky dive but I am sure he is pleased we are doing it in nan’s memory.”

June was diagnosed with cancer last autumn after she began to feel ill and suffered severe weight loss. Tests revealed an incurable tumour which affected most of her vital organs.

“She survived only a matter of weeks after that, eventually going into the hospice, where we all were given chance to say goodbye,” said Hannah. “It was a heart-breaking time for everyone but the hospice offered us tremendous support.”

Hannah’s mum, Janet Jukes and sister Vicky, currently away at university, are incredibly proud of the way Hannah volunteered for the skydive.

Hannah also has a younger brother, Alexander, seven, and twin sisters, Bethany and Grace, four, to dad, Simon, who is remarried.

She said: “The whole family is supporting the event in one way or another, sponsoring us if they are not diving. Hopefully there will be quite a few aunts and uncles there to give us moral support from the ground on the day itself.”

The skydive will be on 21 March at Cockerham, Lancashire, via Black Knights Parachute Centre.

Hannah’s family have set up a Just Giving website page for people to sponsor them in the run up to the day at:

https://www.justgiving.com/skydivespringhillhospice/