82-year-old Jim takes to the skies for St Giles Hospice
Jim Gray, 82, is gearing up to take a giant leap—literally—to raise funds for St Giles Hospice, where his late wife, Rosie, received end of life care.
On Saturday, 19 July, Jim, from Burton-on-Trent, will skydive alongside seven friends and family members at Tilstock Airfield in Shropshire. He will be the oldest man to ever skydive for St Giles Hospice.
The skydive holds special meaning for Jim, whose wife, Rosemary, was cared for by St Giles following a cancer diagnosis, with her final weeks spent at the hospice in December 2023.
Jim said: “When my wife was receiving care, everything was there for us, and we didn’t stop to think about the cost.
“It’s only afterwards you realise what exemplary care like this must cost. End of life care is so important, and I want to make sure that St Giles is there for others in the future.”
Jim has already donated some money to the hospice after hearing about its financial difficulties, but he wanted to do more. He continued: “Quite selfishly, I fancied doing a skydive, and now seven others are joining me! I’m not scared yet, but I might not be saying that when I’m in the plane.”
The group includes participants who are in their 60s and 70s, showing that age is no barrier when it comes to making a difference.
The skydive is just one of Jim’s fundraising efforts. He is also organising an 80th anniversary VE Day concert at Burton Town Hall later this year, with all proceeds going to St Giles Hospice.
Jim is urging the community to support the hospice, which provides vital care for patients, and their loved ones, living with a terminal illness. Jim said: “One in two people will be diagnosed with cancer, and while not everyone will need hospice care, many will. We shouldn’t wait until we need these services to support them.”
Chloe Hope, Head of Fundraising at St Giles Hospice, said: “The generosity of fundraisers like Jim and his family makes a huge difference to the vital care we provide to local people, and their loved ones, living with a terminal illness.
To support Jim’s skydive and fundraising efforts, visit his JustGiving page by visiting: justgiving.com/page/jim-gray-1732804641805. Every donation helps ensure St Giles Hospice can continue its mission of providing compassionate end of life care.
For more information, on the work that St Giles do, visit stgileshospice.com
