A group of friends who met through their kids’ afterschool football training have raised money by skydiving in memory of loved ones who had been cared for by Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice.

The ‘Nifty Fifty’ skydive crew comprises five friends who are all turning or have recently turned fifty, Robert Hoy, Nicola Harrod, Bill Hanfrey, Paul Halley and Paul Marsden. The group wanted to mark hitting the big 5-0 by doing something memorable to raise money to support Greenwich & Bexley Hospice. Skydiving is something that had been on all of their bucket lists, so it was a fantastic opportunity to tick it off by marking a milestone and raising money in memory of loved ones. They chose this hospice to fundraise for as some of the group’s friends and family have been cared for there in times of illness. The team jumped in memory of Jackie Richards, Stanley Geraghty and Sonia Munns.

So far, the ‘Nifty Fifty’ crew have raised more than £8,000 for the hospice. Robert Hoy’s son Louie and his friend Jess did a jump as well, contributing to the fundraising effort.

On his Just Giving page, skydiver Robert said:

“There has been a lot of talk over the years about who wants to or has the guts to jump. There have been a few certain no thank you’s and a few no-shows. So, I would like to thank Nicola Harrod, Bill Hanfrey, Paul Halley and Paul Marsden for sticking to their words and making up the team. I thank you all for whatever kind of donation you can make and the support you will give to a great cause that will help many families and friends in the future.”

If you would like to donate to the cause and help support Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice, you can visit Robert Hoy’s Just Giving page at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/robert-hoy