Daring duo take the plunge for Mayor's charity

Cllr Simon Ward and Daksha Mistry have signed up for a charity skydive in aid of Rugby Myton Hospice, joining a team of fearless fund-raisers set to freefall 14,000 feet from the skies above Langar Airfield, near Nottingham, on Saturday 30 September.

Cllr Ward, the Deputy Mayor, was inspired to raise money for Myton in memory of his wife's cousin, Katie Pritchard, who passed away in June after losing her battle with cancer.

Katie, who was chief bridesmaid at Cllr Ward's wedding, was just 37-years-old and spent her final weeks being cared for at Myton Hospice in Warwick.

"The team at Myton Hospice were amazing, treating Katie with the utmost respect and dignity," Cllr Ward said.

"Jumping out of a plane has never been something I've wanted to do, but Katie would always do things outside of her comfort zone, so I'm biting the bullet and stepping out of my comfort zone to raise money for Myton."

Daksha, the council's Mayor and civic officer, signed up for the skydive after spotting a poster promoting the fund-raiser during a tour of Rugby Myton Hospice with the Mayor, Cllr Maggie O'Rourke. 

"Despite being scared of heights, I've long dreamed of doing a skydive," Daksha said.

"During the tour of the hospice, I was struck by the fantastic facilities and the staff's dedication and commitment.

"We're truly blessed to have a such a facility on our doorstep and I want to raise money to support it."

Myton Hospice needs to raise more than £10.5 million every year to run hospices in Rugby, Coventry and Warwick.

Rugby Myton Hospice, based in the grounds of the Hospital of St Cross, opened its doors 21 years ago following a successful £1 million fund-raising drive.

The hospice provides a range of care and support services for residents with life-limiting conditions, and also operates a 'hub' offering support, information and guidance to residents facing a terminal diagnosis.

Cllr O'Rourke nominated Rugby Myton Hospice as her Mayoral charity after being involved in the original fund-raising drive to build the hospice.

"I want to bring Rugby's communities together to support the hospice's ambitions to create a 'chill out' room for children and expand the hospice garden, which both promise to make a real difference to the quality of care the hospice offers," Cllr O'Rourke said.

"I'm delighted my Deputy Mayor, Simon, and Daksha have signed up for the charity skydive to get our fund-raising off to a flying start, and look forward to welcoming both back to terra firma after the jump."

To sponsor Cllr Ward and/or Daksha, click on links to the JustGiving website below:

Visit Cllr Ward's JustGiving page Visit Daksha's JustGiving page

For more information about Myton Hospice, visit www.mytonhospice.org