One of our Trust’s longest serving members of staff is jumping for joy – after raising thousands for charity with a sponsored skydive.
Daredevil Gillian Leckenby took the leap of faith with friends and colleagues from child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) just days after her 61st birthday earlier this month.
“I’ve worked for the Trust almost 44 years, ever since I did work experience at 17, and have enjoyed lots of wonderful times – but this was definitely a major highlight,” she said.
“I love a challenge. Over the past decade I’ve climbed the Three Peaks, paraglided, run a 10k and zip wired across the Tyne. This parachute jump was a huge tick off my bucket list.”
Daredevil freefalls at 120mph
Gillian, a service manager with Durham and Darlington CAMHS, started planning the skydive soon after turning 60 – managing to “encourage” eight of her colleagues to take part too.
“To be honest, without them I’m not sure I would have done it, they are amazing,” she said.
The courageous crew travelled to Shotton airfield, near Peterlee, supported by family and friends, to take on the challenge – raising over £2,300 for a local charity with their actions.
“We jumped from 15,000ft, which is apparently the equivalent of 29 Blackpool Towers. It was an amazing feeling, watching the coastline while freefalling at 120mph,” said Gillian.
“Everyone really enjoyed themselves, and we had such great support from colleagues all over the Trust. Their excitement and enthusiasm really helped make our day amazing.”
Leap of faith to help save lives
Gillian is determined not hang up her daredevil costume just yet – and is now seeking ideas for what challenge she and her colleagues can take on next.
“People keep asking what we should do next. I’m not sure yet, although we are rather keen on the idea of a zip line in Wales, which is the longest in Europe and the fastest in the world,” she said.
“If anyone has any ideas, I’d love to hear them!”
The money raised by Gillian and her colleagues is to be donated to If U Care Share, a County Durham group which aims to save lives, support communities and prevent suicides.
“Our target was to raise a thousand pounds, and we’ve more than doubled that. It is such a worthwhile cause, and we are so grateful for the support of so many people,” she said.
“I work with some incredible people. This has been one of the best things I’ve ever done with my colleagues, and I want to say a huge thank you to everyone involved.”
Well done everyone
Brent Kilmurray, chief executive of our Trust, today congratulated Gillian and her CAMHS colleagues on their brave fundraising activities and said:
“This was an amazing thing to do and raised so much for such a worthwhile cause. Well done to everyone who took part.”
- It’s not too late to donate to the fundraiser – just click here for the link. A special thanks from Gillian to: Angela Maddison, Amy Cross, Rob Newton, Anna Lowes, Roxy Gilroy, Gemima Hedges and Paul Sharman, and also to Claire Baird and Lianne Savage for their morale support and photography on the day.
