fbpx

Making memories reach new heights

7th May 2024

Skydive for St Luke’s

Launching yourself out of a plane at 15,000ft may seem daunting to many, but for one granddaughter, losing both her grandparents gave her the motivation and fearlessness that she needed.

Carys Macaskill, from Plympton, recently took part in a skydive for St Luke’s and it was her grandparents who were at the forefront of her thoughts as she took that leap of faith.

The 19-year-old’s grandparents, Kevin and Rosemary Marshall, were both cared for by St Luke’s teams at home in the last year.

Me and my grandparents were genuinely best friends

Speaking to Carys, it is clear that her grandparents were more than just family to her.

“Me and my grandparents were genuinely best friends,” she says.

Carys fondly remembers her grandad’s ‘lovely Yorkshire accent’, never lost despite living down in Plympton for the last 25 years, alongside childhood memories of weekly visits to their house.

“Every Friday night me and my brother used to go and stay at their house, watch Crystal Maze and go down to the sweet shop.

“Growing up, my nana and I became so close, she helped me with my mental health, made sure I was looked after. We used to go for coffee all the time and since I left school, I would be with her three times a week. We were very, very close, like best friends, especially since losing grandad.”

Carys’ grandad died in May last year, on the first day of her A Levels Carys remembers, while her nana died on 4 April this year.

St Luke’s care at home

Carys recalls the care they both received as they approached their final days. Her grandad received care from our at home nurses, easing the burden on her nana who was caring for him.

“She was really struggling as she had lost her mum the year before. She had cared for her for a very long time, one to one and tried her best for her, then as soon as grandad got diagnosed she was an absolute state because she was really trying to do it all.

“It was a major relief for her, as it meant she could still do things, like we took her out for her 70th birthday even though grandad was really poorly. St Luke’s did absolutely everything they could for them.”

Carys’ nana was also able to stay at home when she got ill, with regular visits from our nurses, until her health worsened and she needed to receive further care at Derriford Hospital.

Skydive for hospice care

Having had to say goodbye to both her grandparents in the last year, Carys wanted to fundraise for St Luke’s so that others in a similar situation could receive the same care that she witnessed for both of them.

It was receiving a voucher for a skydive for her 18th birthday that she had never ended up using, that set the wheels in motion.

“My intention was to always do it for grandad, then as soon as nana fell ill, I booked it and made sure I had a date in and set up a Gofundme page. Now I was doing it for both of them it became twice as important than before.”

Carys’ dad Scott joined her on her jump from the skies. The pair have already raised more than £2,150, which will enable our nurses to provide their care to more local families, allowing more time for memories to be made.

Tattoo tributes

As a touching tribute to her grandparents, Carys decided to make her memories of them both a little more permanent by getting tattoos of her favourite photos with them, capturing a precious moment in time. She initially got a tattoo of her grandfather and her in December. On falling ill, Carys spent time with her nana choosing a suitable photo of them both for her next tattoo. She was even able to go and visit her straight after getting it done, filling her in on the amount of money she had raised so far. This visit was a memorable one for Carys, as less than 24 hours later Rosemary died.

With the skydive just two weeks after, Carys thrust all her emotion and grief into it, turning her back on any fears or anxiety that go hand in hand with completing a skydive.

“It was absolutely amazing, genuinely the best thing I’ve ever done,” Carys says.

“To be honest I don’t think I was really that nervous because the money we raised motivated us. I’m quite an anxious person anyway in the day to day but because it was something that meant so much, I don’t think I really cared, all I cared about was doing it and raising the money.”

Skydive for St Luke’s

If Carys has inspired you to take on a skydive in aid of St Luke’s then please get in touch and book yours today.

Skydive for St Luke’s

Related articles

, ,

BLOG: Coping at Christmas

Bereavement is hard at any time of year, but the festive season - and Christmas itself -can feel particularly challenging for anyone experiencing grief. No-one understands this more than us. As well as providing specialist end-of-life care for people with terminal illness, we offer their family members bereavement support too. This week (2-8 December) is National Grief Awareness Week, in association with The Good Grief Trust. The aim of the week is to raise awareness of grief, highlight the support on offer and to normalise conversations around it.
, ,

BLOG: It’s party time! Treat yourself to a classy charity shop outfit that looks good and does good

“What am I going to wear?” It’s a cry that rings out across the land every year when the festive party season is on the horizon. The countdown is on to find something elegant and fashionable, that suits you and your budget. Before you start scrolling online, did you know that a trip to your local St Luke’s charity shop could be the answer to all your ballgown and frock dilemmas, not forgetting fancy shoes, evening bags and a touch of bling to complete the look? Partywear – along with Christmas jumpers – is a major focus for our shop managers and volunteers at this time of year. Their mission is to have you looking a million dollars for your special do, without breaking the bank.
, ,

BLOG: CEO George leads us into the future

We’re delighted to congratulate George Lillie on his appointment as the permanent Chief Executive of St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth. Formerly our Clinical Director and Deputy Chief Executive, last year George stepped into the role of CEO for a limited period at a time when we desperately needed his wealth of experience, understanding and leadership. Following a rigorous and robust recruitment process, with some very strong applications, our board of trustees have confirmed that George was the outstanding candidate.
, ,

BLOG: Men’s Day Out is back for 2025 – with a twist!

An unmissable mix of mates, miles and special memories, the South West’s most popular men’s walk is back - with a twist! - for 2025, raising vital funds for local hospice care. Registration opens on Monday 2 December for the hugely popular Men’s Day Out in aid of St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth and the compassionate, expert care the charity provides for local families going through the toughest of times. The flagship event – which last year attracted more than 2,000 sponsored walkers - is taking place on Saturday 22 March.
, ,

BLOG: Holiday time at the Compassionate Café

It sounds like the title of one of those feelgood British films about friends and neighbours pulling together to support one another. Think Calendar Girls, The Full Monty or Fisherman’s Friends the Movie. This scenario features a group of bereaved strangers who meet at the Compassionate Café at their local community hub and agree to one lonely chap’s “silly idea” to go on a seaside coach holiday together.
, ,

BLOG: Opening up the conversation on dying

St Luke’s is launching a brand-new podcast to help open up the conversation about death and dying. The St Luke’s education team are working in partnership with Livewell and Macmillan GP Facilitators from Plymouth, South Hams and West Devon to create a regular podcast for health and social care professionals centred around facilitating good end of life care. The podcast will cover a range of end-of-life care topics, offering top tips and tools to practitioners based on best practice guidance and day to day experience.
, ,

BLOG: Big-hearted cyclists conquer Dartmoor for hospice care

More than 1,000 cyclists saddled up on Sunday for St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth’s thrilling Tour de Moor challenge across Dartmoor, riding as one to raise funds for the charity’s compassionate end-of-life care. Community-spirited riders wearing distinctive branded T-shirts, turned the moor blue in support of the vital services St Luke’s provides for local families affected by terminal illness.
, ,

BLOG: Happy 1st birthday to our community-minded b.kinda coffee shop

It’s a year since St Luke’s b.kinda coffee shop opened its doors in the heart of Plympton and it’s certainly made a strong impression on the local community in those first 12 months. It’s not just about the excellent coffee and the tempting menu. It’s about the dedicated staff who have made it into an inviting place where every customer feels welcomed, looked after and treated as an important individual.
, ,

BLOG: Harry’s time to ride – Tour de Moor 2024

Every time Harry Stevens and his family drove past the Tour de Moor billboard he would always ask to take part, desperate to join the experienced cyclists as they took on the epic rides across Dartmoor, but always being just a little bit too young for the longer routes. Finally, for the first time, it is Harry’s time to ride, the now 9-year-old can ride alongside his dad on our adventurer style 28km route on Sunday.

Our Care

Support us

Courses

Information

BLOG: ‘I’m going to die, not pass away’ – Dying Matters Awareness...BLOG: Paddle for hope