Jemma Collins wasn’t going to let a fear of heights get in the way of raising more than £500 in recognition of the support we gave her husband Pete as he reached the end of his fight against cancer.
Jemma was so moved by the care Pete received from the St Luke’s Community Nursing team that she signed up for a tandem skydive that saw her take to the skies 15,000 feet above Hibaldstow airfield in Lincolnshire.
“I was fine until we set off and I realised I was in the tiniest aeroplane I have ever seen, attached to a strange man I’d only met 10 minutes previously,” said Jemma once she had her feet firmly back on the ground at home in Sheffield’s Manor Park.
Pete spent four years undergoing treatment for stomach cancer before being told that the illness had progressed and become terminal.
He was determined that he was going to die at home, which is when our Community team stepped in.
“St Luke’s were not involved for very long but they made an enormous difference to Pete’s final days,” Jemma said.
“Until you have experienced that level of care it’s difficult to explain just how fantastic the St Luke’s nurses are.
“Pete was very specific about wanting to die at home and St Luke’s were brilliant in giving us all the help and support we needed.”
It was following Pete’s death last October that Jemma signed up to take part in the St Luke’s Skydive.
“It was definitely a once in a lifetime experience, especially as I’m actually scare of heights,” she laughed.
“Let’s just say I was happy to be back on the ground – and happy to have raised so much for such a great cause.”
There’s still time to support Jemma by visiting Jemma