Brave staff to skydive for the da Vinci Robot

Last updated 30-Jul-10 14:26

With most staff at Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals now looking forward to the Trust's annual Fun Run/Walk on 3 October, two employees based on Damson Ward at Barnet Hospital have opted for a slightly more daring way to raise money for the da Vinci Robot Fundraising Appeal.

Health Care Assistant Martin Samson (from Waltham Abbey) and Junior Sister Nadine Bristowe (from Dagenham) will be taking to the skies on 25 September. Not that they'll be staying up there for long; they're doing a sponsored skydive from 20,000 feet with Headcorn Parachute Club in Ashford, Kent.

Neither of these plucky ward staff has ever skydived before - and nor were they originally planning to this time. "We were going to do a bungee jump, but I have a hip problem that got in the way," explains Nadine. So, between bungee jumps and skydives, would it be fair to say they're not afraid of heights?

Actually, no.

"She isn't - but I am!" confesses Martin. So what exactly made him want to jump out of a plane? "It's for charity and it's a one-off, so we're just going for it. We've already paid for the jumps ourselves to make sure every penny donated goes toward the proceeds for the appeal."

Nadine has worked at the Trust for nearly five years, while Martin has been there for just under two years. It will take a lot less time than that for them to land safely at the end of their skydive this autumn, but both they and the Trust hope that donations will fly in just as quickly as they will.

To sponsor Martin and Nadine online, go to www.justgiving.com/barnetandchase. To find out how you can raise money yourself for the da Vinci Robot, including participation in this autumn's 5k Fun Run/Walk, visit www.bcf.nhs.uk/fundraising.