Ten travel agents from Newell’s Travel have raised more than £9,000 for Cornwall Air Ambulance with a charity skydive.
They jumped out of a plane at 10,000 feet above Perranporth, north Cornwall, on Sunday (June 2) after months of planning.
To help boost the funds, they also held pub quizzes, raffles, coffee and cake mornings and a sponsored cycle.
Their initial target was £7,000 but the total raised is now £9,100.
Bryony Penberthy, area manager – who was one of the skydivers – said: “I am so proud of the whole Newell’s Travel team; every member of staff really got behind to support the cause and their colleagues who were taking the brave jump.
“To raise such a substantial amount for such a well-loved charity really showcases not just our team culture but the support the people of Cornwall have for Newell’s Travel.”
The agency – part of The Travel Network Group – is the biggest in Cornwall and its staff “love to support the community and local charities”, said Penberthy.
“We cannot wait to plan what our next charity fundraiser will be, with plenty of suggestions already in,” she added.
Joining her for the skydive were: Lisa Hawken, St Austell manager; Maree Osborne, Bodmin and Tavistock manager; Annie Hughes, St Austell, assistant manager; Dave Rowley, Falmouth sales consultant; Faye Carroll, Saltash sales consultant; Aimee Kent, Redruth sales consultant; James Smith, Truro sales consultant; Katie Symonds, Helston sales consultant; and Claire Chapman, Bodmin sales consultant.
Osborne said she was “terrified” before the jump but was supporting the charity because the air ambulance had saved her baby nephew’s life when he had stopped breathing.
Rowley also had personal reasons for supporting the air ambulance as the service had rescued his father-in-law who had fallen off a boat after suffering a heart attack.
Hawken vowed she would never skydive again but it was glad to tick it off her list.
Cornwall Air Ambulance responds to more than 1,000 missions annually. With the county’s isolated beaches, rural settlements and challenging road networks, its service is vital to residents and tourists.
Donations can be made via this link.
