AN MP has helped to raise more than £7,000 for a Hampshire Hospice in memory of his friend and colleague who died in March.
Eastleigh MP Paul Holmes took part in the skydive at Old Sarum Airfield in Salisbury following the death of his constituency office manager, Sue Hall.
Taking to the skies alongside Sue’s son-in-law Miles, the pair jumped from 10,000ft and have so far raised £7,400 between them for West End-based Mountbatten Hospice.
Sue, who passed away on March 30 from Lymphoma, spent around six weeks at the hospice which provided end-of-life care.
READ MORE: Mountbatten Hospice under pressure as costs soar
She was 56 and had been diagnosed in June 2022.
A number of volunteers also took part in the skydive, raising thousands more for the hospice.
Mr Holmes told the Echo he hoped the money would be able to help.
He said: "I can see the excellent service that Mountbatten Hospice provide but also because in these times volunteering and fundraising has gone down because of the cost of living crisis.
“We were thinking about (Sue) all day.”
The MP recently hosted a Westminster Hall debate on the hospice sector, calling for the government and the NHS to help hospices so they can continue providing services.
Paying tribute to Sue at that debate, he said: “Sue was not just an employee of mine.
“She was my friend, confidant and incredible wife, mum and friend to all.
“She was a magnificent woman. A local hero who helped people every day.
“Sue left us peacefully, surrounded by her family and friends on the 30 of March.
“She was comfortable and well looked after and for that I am forever grateful to Mountbatten Hospice.”
Back on solid earth and so pleased Miles and I have raised £7,000 for Mountbatten Hampshire as well as the others today who also raised money for this great cause. Beer on landing? Yes please. pic.twitter.com/ftsZDDPbo8
— Paul Holmes MP (@pauljholmes) June 24, 2023
Sue had been manager at the MP’s constituency office since his election in 2019.
Sue’s husband Jerry Hall has said this is not the end though, and is now planning further fundraising events.
He added: “The lads did a fantastic job. I’m absolutely delighted. The day raised about £10,000 or more between them all.
“I had said to Sue when she was poorly that we were going to do a big money fundraiser for the Mountbatten Centre.
“They have been so good, and we will continue to fundraise for them forever. We can never repay how wonderful they were.”
The JustGiving page for Paul Holmes’ and Miles’ skydive can be found here.
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