Taking the plunge

TEN plucky hospital staff are daring to dive for dosh in aid of the In Your Hands appeal at the Royal Oldham Hospital.

The Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust workers will take part in the sponsored skydive on Saturday, November 19.

They will hurtle to the ground at 120mph during the 14,000ft leap.

The skydivers are hoping that this adrenaline thrill will be enough to urge members of the public to dig deep into their pockets to sponsor them.

Money from the In Your Hands appeal, which was launched in February by “Coronation Street” star Jennie McAlpine, who plays Fiz, will go towards additional equipment for the new women and children’s unit currently under construction at the hospital.

The £44 million centre features a new four-storey building, the refurbishment of existing wards, new delivery rooms, obstetric theatres, a paediatric theatre, maternity beds and — most significantly — a new neonatal intensive care unit.

Once the new development is complete, the Royal Oldham will be one of three regional centres providing the highest level of intensive care to the smallest and most vulnerable babies.

Volunteer co-ordinator Mary Sunderland said: “I really wanted to do something different for charity, plus challenge myself, so the skydive seemed the ideal choice.

“At the moment we have a number of paediatric nurses and volunteers signed up to take the plunge and we are aiming to raise at least £5,000.

“So far we have £900 pledged and so I’m urging everyone to please support this appeal.”

To find out more about the In Your Hands appeal, or to make a donation, go to www.pat.nhs.uk/inyourhands or www.justgiving.com/Mary-Sunderland0 or call 0161-918 4497.

Please identify that your donation is part of the In Your Hands appeal skydive challenge.