Four years ago, Charlie’s beloved grandad Geoffrey Pollington passed away. At first Charlie didn’t want to leave his room, let alone talk to anybody about it, but after going to Sunbeams, Rotherham Hospice’s child bereavement support group, Charlie found positive ways to deal with his grief.
Fast-forward a few years and, when he came across the Sky Dive Challenge for Rotherham Hospice, Charlie knew it was perfect for him!
“I’ve always wanted to do a sky dive, and when I saw it was for Rotherham Hospice, who helped me so much when my Grandad died, I decided this is my way of giving back,” he said. “Sunbeams helped me so much, I would recommend them to anyone needing help.”
Jumping out of a plane from 15,000 feet up in the air may seem extreme to some, but Charlie is no stranger to facing challenges, having gained his black belt in karate and passed his GCSEs in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. Charlie now studies Triple Sports Coaching at Thomas Rotherham College and is a keen footballer.
Cath Todd, who runs Sunbeams, explained: “Sunbeams is here to support children and teenagers before and after a bereavement. We rely on the generosity of our local community to keep the service running and wish Charlie all the best with his sky dive challenge!”
Charlie completed his sky dive in March, cheered on by friends and family. He smashed his original £500 target, raising £1,500 for the Hospice – money that will fund vital specialist care for the local community. Thank you, Charlie, from everyone at Rotherham Hospice!
Has Charlie inspired you to have a go yourself? Sign up for the Rotherham Hospice Sky Dive Challenge at www.rotherhamhospice.org.uk/support-us/fundraising/events-diary.