St Mary’s Hospice Charity Skydive 2023 had the 'best year ever' as 26 jumpers succeeded in raising a total of £53,561.

The charity was thrilled to host some of the brave skydiving team at The Orangery Cafe and Gift Shop on Saturday.

After treating the jumpers to breakfast, coffee and celebratory cake the cheque was unveiled. The whole skydiving team was delighted to discover how much money they had managed to raise - more than double the total of previous years.

Despite terrible weather and the original meet day being cancelled, 20 supporters jumped out of a plane from a terrifying height of 14,000ft on September 1.

Meeting at Cark Airfield, near Flookburgh, they received a briefing before kitting up and heading to the plane and freefalling through the clouds.

One of the most impressive totals was raised by 81-year-old Bridget Chaplin, who has been a huge supporter of the charity since they took care of her husband David. Nearly 20 years later, Bridget took to the sky and raised over £7,500 herself.

Dr Sylvia Wood, from Kirkby-in-Furness, was the oldest St Mary’s supporter taking part in the jump. The 88-year-old decided to do the skydive after surviving stage four breast cancer. She said: “If I get to 90, I’ll do a wing walk. I’m 18 months away."

St Mary’s events and challenges manager Mel Dixon looked after the group every step of the way.

She said: "It’s been great to see everyone again, I’m absolutely overwhelmed by the amount of effort and dedication individuals have put in. It’s a phenomenal amount to go towards helping local people when they need it most.”