My Story

We are doing a skydive raising money for st Elizabeth East hospices in honour of our mum. Our amazing mum was 58 and become unwell with jaundice, attending hospital on the 6th January 2025. Initially gallstones were suspected but after a few tests it became quickly apparent that wasn't the case. On the 5th Feb we found out that it was pancreatic cancer and incurable. We were obviously all devasted but hopeful that mum would still have a decent amount of time with us and started making plans to get a bucket list in order! On the 6th of March our worlds were completely torn apart when we were told that mum probably only had 6 months left to live. She tried everything to get a bit more time, any treatment, medicine everything. And she refused to give up hope, or handle it with anything other than her amazing sense of humor she was known for. 

Unfortunately things went downhill quite quickly and in may that led to St Elizabeth hospice coming into our lives. Our first contact with them was when mum was admitted to their ward in beccles. So many of mum's appointments / plans had felt very clinical, not personal etc. But from the minute we met these heroes disguised as doctors and nurses it was a different story. They cared. Mum wasn't just a patient, she was a person, a human, with feelings, fears, hopes, a history. Not just a diagnosis. They made her feel like she had some control over this barstard that had taken over her body and our lives. At the time was struggling with everything, she couldn't sleep, she couldn't eat easily, she was constantly sick or nauseous, she could barely sit up let alone move around comfortably, some of it the tumour / cancer but also side effects from the huge amount of tablets she was on. No matter how much she tried not to it naturally has a huge impact on her mentally as well as the physical chanllenges. 

A few things have really stuck with me from that first day and one was while chatting with her asking mum about her jobs in the past and what her favorite one was, why etc. and the other was asking what mum was hoping for. After some tears and explaining during which mum had told her about the bucket list the doctor declared that we had our target and so she declared "operation Robbie" and worked out a plan with mum and us all of what mum needed, what support they could give and what they'd do to make sure she could not only get to see Robbie Williams but be comfortable while doing it. (They even phoned the day after the see how it had gone!). While admitted to their ward they really did so much to help her and us. Right down to helping take photos mum could send one of her grandchildren who is autistic to ensure they were as prepared as possible to visit her. 

During the next few months they were instrumental in being able to ensure our mum checked things off her bucket list. They were also a great support to our step dad and us. Once mum wasn't able to do much they really helped with making sure she had all the support and equipment, medication etc she needed at home to make sure she was as comfortable as she could be. During the last few days before mum died they went above and beyond to help. When mum was no longer able to communicate and was not really alert they still spoke to her like she was able too respond etc. they never stopped treating her like she was the most important person and still "there", they greeted her when they came in and said goodbye when they left, like they'd just popped in for a cuppa not to support us/her in her final hours, which may seem like a standard thing but unfortunately it is not always. We have no idea if mum was aware of this but we were and it honestly means so much to know she was treated with the upmost respect and dignity possible. We cannot thank these beautiful people enough. 

Mum died on the 1st July 2025 leaving her husband, doggie, 3 children, 14 grandchildren, 2 brothers and other family members and friends heartbroken. She deserved so so much more time. 

One of the things on mum's bucket list was to go in a helicopter. On the 12th of June 2025 we went up in a helicopter from beccles for a flight with her. There was a lot of joking about how she was going to throw Nathan out of it. So we've decided that's exactly what we are going to do. On the 12th June 2026 we are going to Chuck him out (we'll be nice and give him a parachute) then Jade will follow. 

Carley will be there in person but not jumping (or being thrown!) and will be a huge part of the fundraising still. 

Unfortunately despite the amazing work they do St. Elizabeth hospice only receive about 30% of their funding from the NHS. The rest (averaging around 8.4 million pound per year) has to be fundraised. So we'd like to be a small part of that. And we are asking for your help. Please sponsor us in honor of our mum. Help us ensure someone else's mum, dad, daughter, son, sister, brother or child is given the care and dignity they deserve. 

We are paying for the jump ourselves to ensure that every penny raised will go to the charity.