Pals are taking the plunge
Bride Clare Petts and bridesmaid Maggie Doust
Bosom buddies Clare Petts and Maggie Doust have always done things together.
So when Clare was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2011 – and put skydiving on her bucket list of things to do when she recovered – Maggie was inspired to follow suit.
The daring duo will take fundraising to new heights when they jump out of a plane in May, a charity challenge they’re tackling head on in aid of Keech Hospice Care.
Clare said: “I’ve heard about the wonderful things Keech does and I know their support for patients and families living with cancer is invaluable.
“I realise I’m very lucky to have been able to move on from cancer and now I want to cherish life and embrace new experiences.”
Skydiving had always been on her ‘to do’ list – she just never got around to fulfilling it. But she says compiling a wish list of what she wanted to do “when I was back to me again” kept her going through the dark days of her diagnosis and treatment.
As luck would have it, the hospice was looking for volunteers for its tandem skydive challenge.
And Clare and Maggie reached the decision to leap into the unknown over a glass of rose wine.
Maggie, 46, of Sundon Park explained: “We thought what the heck, you only live once so let’s do it.
“And before I knew it we’d both signed up.”
The former Barnfield College student added: “We met through a local drama group called St Christopher’s and we’ve been very good friends for many years. So doing this with Clare means a lot to me.
“She’s been through such a lot and has been very brave and strong so jumping out of a plane will be a breeze.”
Maggie – Keech’s corporate fundraiser – knows firsthand what the hospice is all about
She said: “They really do ‘Make every day matter.’ Working here has made me realise how precious life is and that we should all live every day.”
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Weather for Luton
Saturday 25 May 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 5 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 6 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North west
