Wigan mum doing skydive for hospice in memory of grandad

Kirsty, 27, is taking the plunge at the Hindley-based charity’s annual skydive next month in memory of her grandad Joe Gaskell.

Joe died aged 88 surrounded by his family on the hospice’s in-patient unit in February 2019 after spending more than two weeks there.

“He didn’t take life too seriously, he was the life and soul of the party and he pulled you up from any dull moments.

“He was diagnosed with cancer when he was about 80 and he battled with it for years. It got into his bowels and his liver and eventually he was diagnosed as terminal.

“He planned to die at home but he was in so much pain. The hospital recommended he go to the hospice and, after much umm-ing and ahh-ing, he decided to go. I’m so glad he made that decision because it made a bad time so much better.”

Kirsty visited Joe every day he was in the hospice.

“The care for grandad and the family given by all the staff and the volunteers was just brilliant,” she said.

“It seems an odd thing to say but the day he passed was nice because his family were kept informed and it was so peaceful. I think every member of my family would say the same.”

Kirsty’s family are fully behind her skydive, with partner Daniel Taylor, dad Wesley Molyneux and mum Clare Molyneux all helping her to fund-raise.

Clare, who works for Wigan Warriors, has obtained a signed rugby shirt which Kirsty is raffling off via her business KG Nails.

To date Kirsty has raised £850 and is hoping to reach £1,000.

“A sky dive is something I’ve wanted to do for years and now I can do it for the hospice and raise some money too,” said Kirsty. “My mum thinks I’m crazy but all my family will be there on the day to support me.”

She added: “Everyone will have to have some dealing with the hospice in a lifetime and they make the last moments of your loved one’s last final journey that a little bit more bearable.

“I know my family are truly blessed and grateful for everything they did for us. This is my personal journey, I feel this is something I’ve got to do and I think this is the right time.

“I’m doing this not only in memory of my grandad but for all the families the hospice has helped through the worst possible times.”

To sponsor Kirsty visit www.gofundme.com and search for ‘Kirsty’s sky dive for Wigan and Leigh hospice’

To sign up to the skydive on Sunday, May 22 email [email protected] or ring 01942 525566.

There is no registration fee but participants are asked to raise a minimum of £400 sponsorship.

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