Norfolk skydivers recently bereaved

Norfolk skydivers recently bereaved

Two brave people taking part in a skydive over Norfolk had recently lost loved ones to cancer – with one having suffered a bereavement just the day before.

Twelve staff and friends from the Norwich-based Alan Boswell Group made the jump from Beccles airfield on Saturday, October 9.

Among them was customer care manager Sharon Coombs-Hoar, 40 from Norwich, whose father Geoff Marris had died the previous day.

Encouraged by her mother, Eve, she successfully made the dive jumping from around 13,000 feet at speeds of up to 140mph.

Meanwhile, fellow fund-raiser Glen Philpott, 45 and from Loddon, whose father Harold had died suddenly from cancer the previous week, also made the jump.

Commercial sales manager Chris Greaves, 39, from Wymondham, who did the jump, said: 'It was terrifying but also exhilarating. 'We are delighted we have already beaten our target to raise �5000 for the Big C charity.

'There were a lot of nerves before the skydive, although obviously working here none of the team had any insurance worries. After the jump it was just pure elation. It was a good way to spend the day helping a good cause.'

The Alan Boswell group is one of 30 businesses that have pledged to mark 30 years of the Norfolk and Waveney cancer charity by raising a minimum of �5000 each.

The group has now raised around �9000 for the charity, after previous fundraising events included a golf day, monthly dress-down days in the office and the occasional bake-a-cake day.

Organiser Beverly Sexton said: 'We just admire them all for doing it. There were obviously mixed emotions but some of the team are going to do it all again.'