News

Three Leap to Raise Funds for Retirement Village

17th June 2009

More than £2,750 was raised to help fund equipment at Lark Hill Retirement Village, Clifton, when it opens at the end of summer, by three tandem parachute jumpers including a 71 year old resident-to-be at the Village.
Watched by a crowd of supporters, Bill Hodder took his first leap into the sky from 13,000 feet in a tandem parachute jump at The British Parachute School, Langer Airfield, and raised £600. Village Appeal Vice-Chair Caryl Moore (72), raised £2,000 and Village Nurse Chrissie Thornton (25) collected £150.

Comments Caryl: “It was an exciting and profitable day and the money will support funds for a well-being service which will help to save lives, provide facilities where the isolated or lonely can meet and finance venues including craft and arts rooms and a fitness centre where residents and other elderly across Nottingham can become involved.

Bill and his wife Barbara are moving into The ExtraCare Charitable Trust’s Lark Hill Village when it opens and many of those who travelled to Langer Airfield to support the jumpers are also potential villagers.

All three agreed that the jump was fantastic and went without a hitch. Says Bill: “It was a challenge and was really exhilarating.”

A retired plumber and builder, he is no stranger to the skies having helped to build and fly a light aircraft with his son Andrew. “But this was completely different and when we dropped through the clouds and saw the earth below, it was really exciting,” he says.

Bill can’t wait to move into Lark Hill. He comments: “We’ve already made lots of good friends at Village meetings and although we are both very active, we realise we need to think about the future and the support the Village will offer as we get older.”

Caryl was not making her first jump. Nearly 30 years ago she did a solo leap and raised £1,000 to buy a wheelchair for a severely handicapped child.
Chrissie worked at the City Hospital before joining the Village last year. She comments: “It was a privilege to jump with Bill and Caryl – we spun out of the plane, flew through the air and loved every minute. It was fabulous.”

Anyone who would like to support the appeal fund can contact Caryl on
0774 028 3962.

For more information please phone ExtraCare’s Richard Tower on
02476 506011 (mobile 07720 553658).