HPP daredevils take their fundraising efforts to new heights - 15,000ft!

Three leading figures at Oldham-based Hill’s Panel Products (HPP) are taking their fundraising endeavours to new heights – 15,000ft to be exact!

Joint founder and owner Martin Hill is being joined by two directors at the Scottfield Road firm – Dan Mounsey, Marketing and Business Development, and Andy Evans, IT – for a skydive in aid of Maggie’s cancer centre in Oldham.

Weather permitting, the trio will be taking to the skies on October 11th from the Black Knights Skydiving Centre at Cockerham, south of Lancaster, which offers the highest skydive in the UK – 15,000ft, which is almost three miles high, instead of the more common 11,000ft.

The adventure has come about following HPP’s fundraising for Maggie’s as part of World Cancer Day earlier this year, which raised £350.

Dan said: “We went along to Maggie’s to present them with a cheque and while we were there we were shown around and given an insight into the work that goes on.

"It was then we spotted the skydiving opportunity on their social calendar, and it really caught our eye.

"Now we can’t wait for the day to come, it’s very exciting!”

A love of aviation runs deep in the Hill family.

Joint founder Malcolm, father to Martin and his brother Stephen who own and help to run the business, served in the RAF as part of his National Service and later became a qualified private pilot.

He flew a Cherokee Arrow four-seater plane for 43 years, accumulating 2,500 flying hours and passed on his enthusiasm for flying to both brothers who are now qualified private pilots themselves.

HPP, which has been operating in Oldham for 33 years, manufactures and supplies board, doors, fittings and accessories for the fitted furniture industry, particularly kitchens and bedrooms.

It also has a trade counter in Sheffield.

Maggie’s centre in Oldham is part of a UK-wide and overseas network of cancer support hubs, giving cancer patients, their families and friends practical, emotional and social support.

The centres give information about how to manage when someone or someone they care about has cancer.

Practical advice is available about such things money worries, nutrition, exercise, wills and legacies, while emotional support includes dealing with a diagnosis, handling treatment, and dealing with stress.

Social support connects patients, friends and family with others in a similar situation, while carers young and old can seek help too.

The three skydivers were asked to raise £400 each to take part in the parachute jump, although they’ve already surpassed that total and are well on their way to a new target of £1,500.

If you want to sponsor the HPP trio, you will find their fundraising page here

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