Why I'm Taking the Leap for Teesside Hospice

If you know me, you'll know there's one thing I've never had on my bucket list... jumping out of a perfectly good aeroplane!

Yet here I am, willingly (well... sort of!) throwing myself out of one at around 15,000 feet in support of Teesside Hospice. To say I'm terrified would be the understatement of the century. I don't even like standing on a step ladder, so this is about as far outside my comfort zone as it's possible to get! I'm fully expecting to question every life decision I've ever made while the plane door opens... but knowing it's all for such an incredible cause will (hopefully!) give me the courage to jump.

As part of TaperedPlus Ltd's commitment as a proud Corporate Partner of Teesside Hospice, I recently had the privilege of visiting the hospice to see first-hand the incredible work they do.

I'll be honest—I thought I knew what to expect. Like many people, I imagined somewhere clinical, quiet and overwhelmingly sad. I couldn't have been more wrong.

What I found was a genuine home from home.

From the moment you walk through the doors, you're met with warmth, kindness and compassion. Every room, every conversation and every member of staff or volunteer made it clear that this is so much more than a hospice. It's a place where people living with terminal illness can spend precious time with their loved ones in comfort and dignity, creating memories that will last forever.

I left feeling completely humbled.

Teesside Hospice doesn't just provide outstanding clinical care—they support every aspect of a person's wellbeing. They offer wellbeing services, creative and therapeutic activities, outreach support, specialist lymphoedema care and opportunities for patients to enjoy meaningful moments with their families, helping them make the most of every single day.

What touched me most was learning about the support available for families, both during and after the loss of a loved one. Their bereavement and counselling services provide a lifeline for adults and children, helping families and friends navigate grief when life feels at its most difficult. Knowing that their care continues long after someone has passed away is something I'll never forget.

The reality is that services like these only exist because of the generosity of our community.

It costs around £20,500 every single day to keep Teesside Hospice running and to provide all of these services free of charge to local families. They support around 4,000 people every year, but despite the amazing work hospices do, nationally 1 in 4 people still die without the care and support they need at the end of life. That's a heartbreaking statistic, and one that highlights just how important charities like Teesside Hospice really are.

So, while I'll be spending a few minutes screaming my way towards the ground, Teesside Hospice spends every single day helping local families through some of the hardest moments they'll ever face.

If I can face jumping out of an aeroplane (just about!), I'd be so grateful if you could help me reach my fundraising target.

Every donation, no matter how big or small, will help Teesside Hospice continue providing exceptional care, comfort and support to local people when they need it most.

Thank you so much for your support—it genuinely means the world to me... and please spare a thought for me when that plane door opens!

Kelly xxx