n Jayde’s flying high.
By Michelle Norris
A LOVING teenager from Canvey is getting ready to take to the skies and raise money for a local hospice in memory of her brave Nan, who sadly lost her battle with cancer earlier this year.
Sixteen-year-old Jayde Tapsell has decided to take the ultimate plunge this weekend to remember her 73-year-old Nan, Iris Brinson, who was due to stay at Fair Havens Hospice for respite care after spending years battling lung cancer.
As a supporter of Havens Hospices, which provides respite breaks and end-of-life care for people living with serious illnesses and conditions, Iris encouraged her granddaughter to raise money for the charity when she decided to jump out of a plane for her sixteenth birthday. However, sadly Iris never made it to Fair Havens and passed away in February, a week before Jayde’s birthday.
“It was her goal to still be here for her birthday,” says Jayde’s mum, Coral. “She was admitted to hospital to have her lung drained and she was telling everyone about the sky dive. She was so proud of everything Jayde and her sisters did.”
Iris even left £100 in sponsorship for her skydive and at her funeral, instead of flowers, her family asked for donations to go towards Jayde’s challenge for the hospice and so far, she has raised nearly £400.
Speaking in anticipation of her jump this Saturday, Jayde said: “I’m alright at the moment I’m just trying not to think about it! But I’m looking forward to it. I was really close to my Nan and I miss her lots.”
Jayde will be taking to the skies this Saturday 22 May. If you’d like to jump for charity like Jayde, the next skydives for Havens Hospices takes place on 25 September. To register or for more information about this and other challenges, contact Events Fundraiser Claire Southgate on 01702 220312 or visit www.havenshospices.org.uk and click on ‘Get involved’.