Emily Loader, a Healthcare Assistant for Fair Havens Hospice at Home, will be braving the skies on 13th May. The 25-year-old will be collecting sponsorship to raise vital funds for Havens Hospices where she has worked since August last year.
After wondering how she could get involved in fundraising for the charity, Emily decided to join ‘Team Havens’ and take on a skydiving challenge. Emily has already beaten her £400 target but hopes to continue to raise more as she knows how much the donations make a difference to the families she cares for in the community.
Emily said: “I realise how important every single donation is to the charity. Working in hospice care has taught me a lot and has changed my outlook on life, it’s inspired me to be brave, take risks, don’t hold back, and do what makes you happy. Taking on challenges and engaging in adventure is spiritually rewarding and gives me empowerment, and I’m happy I can do this for myself and raise money for Havens Hospices at the same time.”
Emily Loader is a part of the Hospice at Home team at the charity which cares for adults with incurable conditions living in Southend-On-Sea, Rochford and Castle Point. Specialist care is provided within patients’ homes, helping them to keep their independence, support discharge from hospital to home and offer planned respite.
Emily says: “Havens Hospices are such an incredible charity to work for. I didn’t comprehend the volume of support and care they provide not just to patients and their families, but also to us workers as well. The charity looks after everyone involved, and it’s extremely rewarding to be a part of such a great cause and great team.”
The skydive is a big challenge for Emily, who suffered from severe anxiety when flying during childhood. She said: “I am very excited about the skydive for now, but I know when I’m up in the plane, I will be very jelly-legged. When I was younger, I suffered from extreme anxiety when flying, I was prescribed medication by my doctor to get me through the fear while flying. As a mother and adult now, I am a lot better with flying and no longer require medication. However, this is still a big challenge for me, the nerves will be running high on the day, but I know my incredible family and friends cheering me on will get me through it and knowing that I am raising money for a charity close to my heart.”
It’s thanks to the support from people in the community like Emily that Havens Hospices are able to continue providing free hospice care to those who need it now and in the future.
To support Emily with her fundraiser for Havens Hospices please visit www.gofundme.com/f/ug9scx
For those inspired by Emily’s fundraising challenge, Havens Hospices is looking for more thrill-seekers to take part in its next skydiving event on 9th September 2023. For more information and to sign up visit www.havenshospices.org.uk/events
Published 5th April 2023
