A Sheffield woman will be skydiving 15,000ft this weekend in the latest of her fundraising events for a local Sheffield charity.
Gayle Dooley, 46, from Wadsley, Sheffield, has supported the work of Sheffield Churches Council for Community Care (SCCCC) since 2017.
In the past, she has completed a variety of challenge fundraisers including a half-marathon, an abseil and even a firewalk.
The support worker is one of five adventurous individuals taking part in the skydive at Skydive Hibaldstow on Saturday.
The event was scheduled to take place in April of last year but was delayed as a result of the pandemic.
Completing a skydive was originally Mrs Dooley’s idea and following her suggestion, SCCCC staff member Ericka Hill organised it.
Mrs Dooley said: “I said jokingly to Ericka that I thought the next challenge should be a skydive but I never thought she’d pull it off! I actually don’t like heights.”
She continued: “I don’t class myself as a thrill seeker but I will try anything once.”
SCCCC is a small, local charity which offers services to support the elderly in Sheffield.
They work in partnership with local authorities, the NHS, voluntary organisations and churches.
Mrs Dooley said: “The work that this charity does is very close to my heart because I work with the elderly.
“It’s great what they do, especially under the circumstances of Covid”.
She continued: “Every bit of help I can and I will do.”
Collectively, the group of five skydivers have gone above and beyond their donation goal and have so far received over £3000 worth of sponsorship for the charity’s first fundraising event of the year.
Gayle has raised £876 so far
Ms Hill, their fundraising, marketing and communications officer, believes these donations are partly a result of lockdown making people realise what it’s like for elderly people to feel lonely.
She said: “This virus has definitely brought it to the forefront of people’s minds.”
Both Ms Hill and Mrs Dooley stressed how important it is to support charities now more than ever, especially whilst things are opening up again.
Ms Hill said: “It’s great that we can hopefully claw some of that money back and make a real difference this year.
“We are always so grateful for our fundraisers no matter what they do or how much they raise.
“Every penny really does make a difference to help us to support isolated and lonely older people.”
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All image credit goes to Gayle Dooley.