Hayley’s Flying High With Donation In Memory Of Plane Enthusiast Len

Saying thank you to staff at Johnson Community Hospital has resulted in one visitor taking to the skies to raise £1,000 for the Welland Ward.

Hayley Matson made the donation to the team in Spalding in memory of her late friend Len Dawson, after completing a tandem skydive from 12,500ft.

The occasion was something she says plane enthusiast Len, who was cared for at the hospital, would have been very proud of.

Hayley, of Moulton, said: “Len was cared for impeccably. When he died the hospital was so good and I just wanted to give something back. There was never a time where anything was too much bother. A few years ago I had a DVD done where I had flown a plane in Florida and he watched it over and over again. It seemed appropriate to do something in a plane this time to raise the money.”

Hairdresser Hayley collected £1,000 with the help of her daughter Sian, who made and sold cakes. The money will be presented to the Welland Ward for Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust’s Charitable Funds.

Hayley added: “The day I did the skydive was a lovely day but it was the fact I was doing it in Len’s memory that made it so special. I’m just pleased to have been able to raise that amount of money for such a worthwhile cause and hope it makes a difference to the ward and their patients.”

Jennie Gittins, Welland Ward Manager, said: “On behalf of everyone on the ward and at Lincolnshire Community Health Services, I would like to thank Hayley for her very kind donation. The quality of care the experiences of our patients, their family and friends is very important to us and we were delighted to hear what a difference our team was able to make to Mr Dawson.”