Terrified would be an understatement

A police call handler is taking on an adrenaline-filled fundraising challenge following the tragic loss of her parents just six months apart.

Lou Purrington was determined to give something back to Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice who cared for her parents Yvonne, 64, and Martin Firth, 68, who died in 2014 and 2015 respectively.

In recent years this has taken the form of charity quizzes, but this time the adrenaline has been taken up a notch – or two.

As Cambridgeshire Constabulary call handler Lou prepares for the parachute jump that awaits her next month she can’t quite find the words but says “terrified would be an understatement.”

Her father Martin had a long career as a police officer with Cambridgeshire Constabulary, joining in the 1970s as a bobby in St Neots, followed by Warboys and Fletton, before working for traffic at Bridge Street and then in the Force Control Room.

Lou said: “I have raised money for Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall for many years, since the loss of my Mum and Dad.

“Usually, the fundraising is in the form of a charity quiz, but I wanted to do something to raise even more this time and what better than a parachute jump.

“The staff at the hospice were fantastic in looking after my parents and gave so much support to myself and my sister Elaine Somers, who also works with me in the Demand Hub. We have become friends with a couple of the carers that looked after our parents and keep in regular contact with them still.  

“Recently I have challenged myself to complete a number of adventurous activities and decided that I could combine this with raising money. To demonstrate how amazing Sue Ryder have been I thought I'd better do something amazing(ly scary) for them!

“To say that I am terrified would be an understatement, but I am going to do something completely out of my comfort zone to raise as much as I can to help other people that are affected by cancer and are in need of their care.”

Helen Kingston, Community Fundraiser at Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice, said: "We're so grateful to Lou for taking to the skies for Sue Ryder in this brave fundraising feat. It's thanks to the ongoing support of people like her - going to great heights for our hospice - that we can continue to be there when it matters for families going through the most difficult times of their lives."  

To support Lou’s fundraising efforts visit her JustGiving page.

Photo: Lou Purrington