The sky’s the limit! 89-year-old plans skydive for charity

A care home resident from Basingstoke is raising funds for a charity in the most unexpected way. 

On the 25^th March, 89-year-old Dennis Moulton, a resident at Care UK’s Dashwood Manor, on Bradley Way, will be taking on the ultimate challenge of jumping out of a plane at 15,000 feet. 

Dennis is raising funds for Marie Curie, a charity which provides highly skilled care in hospices across the UK. The trained volunteers and advisors offer practical information and support when patients and their families most need it. 

When Dashwood Manor first opened in September 2021, the team installed a ‘Wishing Tree’, an initiative launched by Care UK which allows residents to suggest ideas for new hobbies they’d like to try, places they’d like to visit or even activities linked to past careers. This encourages residents to live fulfilling lives – from skiing to a fish and chip supper, no wish is too big or small.

Dennis wasted no time thinking about a ‘descent’ wish and quickly put on the wishing tree his lifelong dream, to skydive. 

Dennis said: “My wish was to jump out of a plane and free fall for as long as possible. Although this idea seems scary, I am counting down the days until my dream comes true. On March 25^th, I will be jumping at 15,000 feet with free fall of 60 seconds. I have persuaded two team members to jump alongside me - Eileen Coyle-Jones and Leahanne Wilkinson. They are both very excited to share such an experience with me.

“It was particularly hard to choose a charity to raise money for, especially after the past two years with so many charities deserving our help. I have chosen to fundraise for Marie Curie as they provide much needed care in hospices across the UK. 

“Every donation counts, so please give as much or as little as you can!”

Dil Perera, Home Manager at Dashwood Manor, said: “We are thrilled that we are helping Dennis complete his lifelong wish to skydive while also raising vital funds for a very deserving charity.

“All the team and residents are very much looking forward to the day. I would like to thank the team for helping to organise the wish for Dennis and especially to Leahanne and Eileen who are jumping out the plane with him!

“We have raised £953 so far for Marie Curie with Dennis’s target being an ambitious £3,000. We would love to reach our target before the skydive at the end of March, with support from Care UK’s match funding initiative and other donations we believe we can. We can’t wait for the big day – and to see Dennis’ lifelong dream become a reality.” 

Designed to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence, the new care home, which opened in September 2021, incorporates space for hobby and leisure activities. Luxury facilities includes a café, hair and beauty salon, cinema and bar, and stunning gardens.

To donate to Dennis’s Just Giving page, please visit:  www.justgiving.com/DashwoodManor

To find out more about Dashwood Manor, please call Customer Relations Manager, Leahanne Wilkinson, on 01256 805988, or email Leahanne.Wilkinson@careuk.com.

For more information about Dashwood Manor, visit: careuk.com/Dashwood-Manor.