Ellie goes above and beyond for charity
Our chosen charity this year is Above & Beyond, which raises funds for Bristol hospitals. Intrepid PES employee Ellie Paton really has gone above and beyond to raise money – by jumping out of an aircraft (with a parachute strapped to her back).
‘I thought about doing a skydive some time ago when my mum was diagnosed with cancer. When I realised that PES supported Above & Beyond, I decided to do it for this great cause. I’ve seen how horrible cancer treatment is and I want to do what I can to support children who have to go through traumatic procedures.
‘I jumped from15,000 feet – the highest jump you can do. You can’t go any higher without oxygen! There’s also a one-minute drop before the parachute opens. I was really nervous but in fact I’m really glad I did that because it made the jump last longer.’
Ellie didn’t fly solo – she was firmly strapped to her instructor which meant she couldn’t look down before jumping out of the plane – a blessing! ‘But the experience was nothing like I expected. It was like swimming in the air, and the views were absolutely amazing.’
She’s managed to raise over £1,500 so far, smashing her original target, and the amount keeps on growing. In fact, Ellie’s Just Giving page was one of the most successful of September 2018, putting her into the top 3% of over 88,000 fundraisers!
Ian Rummels, our Head of Thinking and Possibilities, said: ‘We’re so proud of Ellie for taking this massive step – or jump – in aid of our company charity. She’s really embodied our values of doing the right thing and being refreshingly different. In fact, it even sounds like she had fun too – another core value! And all in aid of a great cause. Ellie has done us all proud.’
You can read Ellie’s full story and make a donation by visiting her Just Giving page.
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