Volunteer, 73, takes to the sky for Willow Wood

A pensioner who volunteers at Willow Wood braved a 15,000ft drop when taking part in a skydive to raise hundreds of pounds for the hospice. 

Bryn Jones parachuted through the air last Sunday at Black Knights Parachute Centre in Lancaster and managed to raise £670 in sponsors to support the work of the Ashton-based hospice, who provide end of life care to patients with life-limiting illnesses. 

The 73-year-old, who has two children and six grandchildren, has been helping out in the hospice's base on Willow Wood Close, off Mellor Road, on Tuesdays and Thursdays for the last eight months. 

His proud daughter Samantha Burrows told the Reporter: "The hospice asked my dad which event he would like to participate in to raise money and he chose the skydive. 

"On the day, they asked him if he wanted to jump from 7,000ft or 15,000ft - and he chose 15,000ft! 

"It was a really good day. He's a really generous person and wanted to do his bit to raise money for the hospice as my mum Gloria could have been there herself before she passed away in August last year. 

"He enjoys volunteering in the shop and everyone at Willow Wood thinks he's great."  

Bryn, who completed the tandem skydive to "to do his bit to raise funds", says working for Willow Wood has really changed his life. 

"I was looking for something to do after I lost my wife, I really needed to feel that I could make a difference and help the community," said the volunteer, who lives in Romiley.

"The volunteer centre in Ashton suggested that I come to the START Clinic at Willow Wood, but I was a bit unsure at first.

"I didn't know if I would be able to cope, especially since my wife had both cancer and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). I thought it might be too much for me, but decided to give it a go.

"I’m so glad I did. I’m doing two days in Day Services and absolutely love it. My role is to support the day patients; I greet them when they arrive and take them down to the lounge or the treatment room, make them a cup of tea or coffee and sit and chat to them.

"That's really the important part. Just sitting and talking, making them feel at ease if it’s their first visit and they don’t know what to expect. And talking about their condition and prognosis. Sometimes people find it difficult to talk about themselves and their lives to their nearest and dearest, it’s easier to speak openly to someone outside the family."