Shell soars through the skies for sick children’s charity

Shell Rayner, aged 37 from Cambridgeshire, will face her fears on the 26th August in a sponsored skydive in support of the charity that is helping whilst her friend's brother is in hospital being treated for cancer.

Shell originally signed up for the skydive at the North London Skydive Centre as an exciting experience but was inspired to use the opportunity to raise money for The Sick Children's Trust after she heard about their work from her friend, Aleisha. Aleisha's brother, Benjamin, is being treated at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge, whilst his family stay close by his side at Acorn House.

After numerous tests to find the cause of several bumps on Benjamin's head, he was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, a type of blood cancer. Benjamin has now been in hospital for two months and is on his second round of chemotherapy. The Sick Children's Trust has been there to support Benjamin's family by providing them with free accommodation, as well as emotional and practical support.

The family live in Pondersbridge over an hour away from the hospital, but Acorn House is just a few minutes' walk away from Benjamin's ward. The charity has ten 'Homes from Home' based at major paediatric hospitals across the UK which allows the families of sick children to go back to a comfy bed, a hot shower, and clean communal areas after long days spent on the ward.

Shell says: "After I originally signed up for the skydive I ended up putting it off several times for different reasons but mainly because I was secretly terrified of the free fall. But after hearing about Benjamin and The Sick Children's Trust I was determined to face my fears and to raise some money for a fantastic charity in the process.

"The Sick Children's Trust is such a worthwhile cause which has really helped Aleisha and Benjamin, and their parents, Tracey and Brian. I just want to raise as much as possible to support them. I would really like to completely smash my target and I have already surpassed my first goal of £150."

Sandra Peckham, House Manager at Acorn says "We are delighted that Shell has decided to support the work that we do. As a charity we rely on donations, so all the money raised by Shell's terrifying challenge will help us to continue supporting families during a stressful time in their lives. We will definitely be thinking of Shell and will be wishing her lots of luck from the comfort of the ground."

To support Shell please visit her just giving page:

https://www.justgiving.com/Shell-Rayner1/