In a daring act of bravery, local nurse Liz Winch, 34, is preparing to skyrocket 10,000 feet into the sky on Saturday, September 21, in Salisbury, all in the name of charity. Winch, who works at Dorothy House Hospice, is embarking on this high-altitude challenge to raise crucial funds for the hospice and its patients.
Residing in Bath with her husband and children, Winch admits to being “absolutely petrified” about her first skydiving experience. “I signed up after a glass of wine!” she reveals with a nervous laugh. Despite her apprehension, she will not be alone; the jump will include a team of nurse specialists, retired nurses, and their families, making the event feel like a close-knit family gathering.
Dorothy House Hospice, located just outside the Somerset border in Winsley, Wiltshire, serves a vast area of 300 square miles. This includes Bath, Keynsham, Midsomer Norton, Shepton Mallet, and Frome. With only ten inpatient beds, the hospice focuses heavily on community-based care, emphasizing the importance of integrating death into the natural course of life. Winch explains, “Ninety percent of the nursing care we provide is in the community, and it’s crucial to make space for people to feel safe when discussing death and bereavement.”
She highlights the hospice’s mission to enhance the quality of life rather than merely prolonging it. “It’s not about adding days to life, but adding life to days,” says Winch. Her dedication is evident in her reflections on her work, noting how it has helped her personally when dealing with bereavement.
However, the financial strain on hospices has intensified due to the cost-of-living crisis. For every £1 of NHS funding, Dorothy House needs to raise £4 from public donations. “The need for community care is urgent, and hospices are facing significant financial pressures,” Winch notes. Despite these challenges, she remains committed to the hospice’s mission and the quality of care provided.
Winch has garnered substantial support for her skydiving endeavor. While her initial goal was to raise £250, she has already surpassed this, collecting £1,000. The funds raised will contribute significantly to the hospice’s operations, such as covering 24 hours of patient care or funding thirteen group counseling sessions for young adults with life-limiting conditions.
Liz Winch’s skydiving adventure is not only a personal challenge but also a vital contribution to ensuring that Dorothy House Hospice can continue its compassionate care for those in need.
related topics:
