An adventurous hospice nurse is planning a parachute jump to celebrate her 50th birthday and to raise money for the much-loved local charity, Treetops Hospice.
Kate Kells, from Ilkeston, is planning her tandem jump from 14,000 feet in October and hoping to raise £1,000 for the hospice which support adults with life-limiting conditions and those who’ve been bereaved.
Kate’s adventurous streak only appeared when she turned 50 earlier this year and completed the longest zipwire in Snowdonia which she described as ‘fantastic’.
“Some people might think it’s a midlife crisis, but I’ve always fancied doing a tandem parachute jump – it’s the next perfect adventure! I know for me the hardest part will be jumping out of the plane, but if I am attached to the experienced parachutist, I go when they go!”
Kate joined Treetops Hospice as a Wellbeing at Home nurse 15 months ago, a role she sees as a ‘great privilege’. Kate is part of a team who support over 30 local patients with a terminal diagnosis each week.
“Many of our patients are simply too poorly to travel or go out much, so they can feel isolated. We want to help them live a quality life for as long as they can, so we take our care direct to them at home.
“As well as a good natter, we might listen to music or look at photos to reminisce, play games such as cards or dominoes, and can offer hand massages.”
Kate also supports patients in recording their life stories and making memory boxes, as well as planning for their future care.
“We help patients talk about the death that they want to have and how they can plan for that. I think Treetops has an enormous positive impact on patients and their carers at what can be a very difficult time. Hopefully, our work results in a wealth of positive memories being made and leaves a lasting legacy for their loved ones to cherish.”
Visits by Wellbeing at Home nurses mean family members and carers of patients can also have some valuable respite time.
Kate continued:
“Treetops is a charity, and we need to raise over £4million a year to keep providing our care. I want to help ensure that we are able to continue offering our services for people in the future.”
Feeling inspired? Treetops has a wide range of challenges and events including wing walks, treks, cycle rides and runs including the Alton Towers 10k.
For further information, visit www.treetops.org.uk/challenges2023 This year, Treetops Hospice is celebrating 40 years of caring for people and their families in the local community. During this time, the hospice has supported thousands of patients with end-of-life nursing care and bereavement counselling.
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About Treetops Hospice
Treetops Hospice, the leading end-of-life care charity in Derby, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, provides nursing care and emotional support for adults with life-limiting conditions, and their families.
The charity provides support from diagnosis onwards for patients with conditions such as cancer, motor neurone disease and heart and respiratory conditions.
This year, we are very proud to be celebrating 40 years of caring for people and their families in our local community. During this time, we have supported thousands of patients with end-of-life nursing care and bereavement counselling.
We have achieved this amazing milestone thanks to our dedicated volunteers who help across the whole hospice and in our charity shops, our hard-working staff team, and our supporters, past and present.
Last year, our team of Hospice at Home nurses provided over 20,000 hours of care to terminally-ill patients, working day and night to give much-needed support.
Our team of bereavement counsellors provided over 4,500 counselling sessions – more than 900 of them to children and young people. Wellbeing team members provide valuable information and support to those who need it.
Treetops is doing all it can to continue to support those in most need and welcomes donations to ensure the future of the hospice and its services: www.treetopshospice.org.uk/donate
A counselling session for a bereaved child costs £34.50. An overnight Hospice at Home nursing shift for a patient at the end of life costs £108.
Treetops Hospice, Derby Road, Risley, Derbyshire, DE72 3SS
0115 949 1264 | www.treetopshospice.org.uk
Registered Charity Number 519540
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