Dewsbury MP to to take on 15,000 feet skydive for Kirklees hospice

The Conservative MP will take part in a tandem skydive from Hibaldstow Airfield in North Lincolnshire on September 15.

It will involve a “freefall” at speeds of up to 120mph before the parachute opens and brings him back to earth – hopefully with a gentle bump.

Mark responded to The Kirkwood’s call for volunteers to help raise funds after a year which saw its fundraising activities severely curtailed.

The jump is from a height the equivalent of 15 Emley Moor TV masts and Mark said he was nervous but excited at the prospect.

“Despite the support given to hospices and charities during the pandemic, it has been a difficult time for them,” he said.

“I am pleased that I have this opportunity to do my bit to help out an organisation that does great work not just in their centre in Dalton but also the Rosewood Centre at Dewsbury Hospital and out in the wider community through their excellent community nurses.

“I’m really pleased to be doing this event, even if I’m a little bit nervous, sometimes politicians need to be brought back down to earth and I hope this will prompt everyone will donate what they can to support The Kirkwood.”

The Kirkwood normally derives 80% of its income from fundraising and donations from the local community, including through its annual Midnight Memory Walk which is its biggest fundraising event of the year.

In April last year, the Government announced £750m to help pandemic-hit charities, including an extra £200m for hospices, of which the Kirkwood has been a recipient.

The hospice has welcomed Mark’s efforts and chief executive Michael Crowther said: “Mark is doing something really great for our important local charity.

“He is determined to draw attention to the many things The Kirkwood does for people in his constituency but I think he's had his arm twisted to do the skydive!

“I really think it will be a great way of helping people to understand that The Kirkwood is here for them and their families when they need us.”