It takes a lot of courage to sign up for a charity skydive, especially if you don’t have a natural head for heights.
But once the idea was suggested to Jacqui Tye, optical assistant at our Brightlingsea branch, she knew it was something she had to do.
Jacqui is taking part in the daring feat alongside two friends, who together are now known as The Three Amigos.
They met at the Step into Sunshine bereavement group and are each taking on the skydive in memory of a loved one.
In memory of Gary
Jacqui recently lost her brother Gary aged just 58. She explained: “Gary used to do some crazy things when he was younger. So, when Pete and Ian started talking about doing a skydive I agreed as what better than to do something a bit crazy in Gary’s
memory.”
Their original aim was to raise £2,000, but after only a few weeks of fundraising they look set to smash this figure.
Raising funds for a fantastic cause
The friends decided to raise money for St Helena Hospice as it was where Peter’s wife spent her last days after being diagnosed with a brain tumour.
Over the past 40 years St Helena Hospice has supported tens of thousands of people through end-of-life care and bereavement, and the funds will be a welcome help in supporting the charity’s work further.
Jacqui, who has worked as part of the Patrick & Menzies team for the past eight years, said: “I’ve never done anything like this before but have always wanted – I have just been a bit scared. I think now is the right time for me to do something which takes me
out of my comfort zone and I feel excited, and a bit nervous at the same time!”
Gearing up for the skydive
The skydive will take place in July 2026 at Beccles Airfield in Suffolk.
Jacqui added: “I’m really looking forward to the tandem skydive but have already said I want go first out of the three of us on the day as I’m not sure if I would jump if I was the last one out!”
The whole Patrick & Menzies team is really proud of Jacqui for taking part in this exciting challenge and we know she will do brilliantly on the day.
Sponsor The Three Amigos!
If you would like to sponsor Jacqui and The Three Amigos for their daring fundraising feat, you can do so via their Just Giving page.