Paediatric staff to take on skydive for charity

Staff from a Wolverhampton hospital are to take part in a tandem skydive to raise money for young patients and their families.

Nine colleagues from the children's ward at New Cross Hospital will jump out of an aeroplane at 13,000ft above Whitchurch Airfield.

The majority of the staff will make the leap on 14 June, with one member jumping in July.

"None of us have done anything like this before and we have a mixture of feelings from excitement to terror, but all feel that this is a very worthwhile cause and an opportunity not to be missed," said Sophie Ruskowski, junior sister.

"We just want to improve the patient experience for the children we treat and their families.

"The team have been fabulous and are really passionate to raise as much money as we can," she added.

The money will go to the Royal Wolverhampton Trust Charity. More than £2,000 has been raised in sponsorship so far.

The group has a calendar of fundraising events across the year to raise more money.

They will complete five other challenges throughout 2025 - the Wolverhampton 10k, Great Birmingham Run, Wolf Run, Inflatable 2.5k Run and the Wolverhampton Half Marathon.

Amie Rogers, fundraising and lead digital engagement officer at the trust, said the money would make a "huge impact and difference" in supporting people who visit the ward.

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