Brave NHS Colleagues Take the Leap for Charity!
An adventurous duo of NCH&C colleagues have gone above and beyond - quite literally - to raise money for our charity by taking on a daring skydive challenge.
On 24th August, Lesley Luscher, Unison Branch Secretary and Stuart Shipp, Finance Business Partner swapped their office wear for harnesses, climbing thousands of feet into the air before taking the ultimate leap from a plane. With nerves of steel and smiles all around, they each completed a tandem skydive, freefalling at breathtaking speeds before gliding safely back to earth.
The challenge wasn't just about adrenaline - it was about making a difference. Together, these two have raised an incredible £2,300 to support Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Charitable Fund, helping us fund projects that make NHS community care even better for patients, families, and staff.
Stuart said 'It was amazing, scary and fun all in one go. I am very grateful for the opportunity to jump, it was so well organised between Carol, Tracy and Beccles Skydivers. You are instantly relaxed at Beccles, the team were all friendly, happy and focused to make you feel at ease, so I could focus on delivering on the donations that had been made.
I wanted to jump and make difference to the patients we look after at NCH&C, I remember Tracy and Carol telling me about the packages of basics that are given to people that arrive at a ward and sadly have no one to come in a bring them a toothbrush, toiletries etc So when I committed to jump, I had in mind my grandparents and what if they were admitted to hospital and did not have these basics to hand so that for me was the motivation to say OK when I was asked good to go? with my feet dangling out of the plane at 12,000 feet.
My wife was asked did you ever doubt Stuart would do it? and her answer was No , for the sole reason that my wife knew that I was committed to making a bigger difference by donating my time, motivation and willingness to do something that others might not."
Afterwards, Lesley said 'It was such an experience, the initial drop out of the plane was so terrifying but great at the same time!!
We are so proud of our colleagues for their courage and commitment. Their fundraising will help us go the extra mile, funding wellbeing initiatives for staff, enhancing patient care, and supporting projects that go beyond what the NHS alone can provide.
A huge thank you to everyone who supported and sponsored the skydivers - you've helped turn a once-in-a-lifetime leap into lasting impact for our NHS community.
If you're celebrating a milestone birthday in 2026, or just fancy doing something out of your comfort zone, do get in touch with us for more information. Just do it!