Two daring colleagues joined forces to complete a sponsored skydive for a breast cancer charity.
Lisa Sidney and Natasha Robson, who both work at EDF Energy, Doxford International Business Park, parachuted 10,000 ft in aid of Breast Cancer Now.
The energy company has teamed up with Breast Cancer Now, which is the UK’s largest breast cancer charity, in an ambition to raise a total of £450,000 over three years through fundraising activities.
Lisa and Natasha, who are both from Washington, hope to raise £3,000 to donate to Breast Cancer Now and have almost reached the total thanks to contributions from family, friends and colleagues. Their supporters joined them as they took off from the Peterlee Parachute Centre at Shotton Airfield.
Natasha, who has been heavily involved in work-based charity events since joining the team seven years ago, said: “It was a nerve wracking but amazing experience. We decided on a sky dive as we thought it was something different and attention grabbing to raise money and awareness for Breast Cancer Now.
“We have had some great support from our friends, family and colleagues and we are well on our way to reaching our goal.”
Kevin Gatens, head of customer services in the North said: “The Doxford team always put their all into fundraising and supporting the company’s charity partners. They do a fantastic job and a group of volunteers were recently recognised with national awards through the company’s Going For Gold Award scheme for their dedication to charity projects.
“Breast cancer is something which has affected a lot of people and their loved ones, and we are looking forward to continuing our success in raising money to support research and treatment to help the charity reach their target of preventing all breast cancer deaths by 2050.”
Breast Cancer Now fund research into the disease, with the overall aim to develop a cure so that by 2050 everyone diagnosed with breast cancer will live.
The company-wide partnership between EDF Energy and Breast Cancer Now, which began last year, will run for three years with an aim to replicate the success of its last partnership with Marie Curie.
All funds raised will help Breast Cancer Now continue to fund lifesaving research into breast cancer, focussing on prevention, early detection and diagnosis, treatments and secondary breast cancer.