A WOMAN took to the skies in memory of a late colleague and raised thousands of pounds for the hospice that cared for her.

Aimee Williamson, an employee for YourLife Management Services at McCarthy and Stone, raised over £1,500 for Oakhaven Hospice in Lymington.

Strapped to an instructor, Aimee jumped at 15,000ft from a plane over Salisbury Plain, freefalling for 45 seconds before steering her parachute back down to earth.

The hospice cared for Bernie Hurdle who worked as an estate manager at Farringford Court in Lymington before passing away in March this year following a short battle with cancer.

Aimee said: “I was extremely nervous about doing the skydive, but I had such a fantastic time. Bernie was such a loved member of staff at Farringford Court and is sorely missed by everyone there.

“The hospice could not have done more for Bernie in her final days, so it was important to me and to everyone at Farringford Court to be able to give something back and help others enjoy the same quality of care that Bernie did, especially where the hospice survives entirely on donations and every penny counts to them.”

Following the skydive, staff and homeowners at Farringford Court, along with Bernie’s son who did a sponsored 750km cycle, have collectively raised over £7,000 for Oakhaven Hospice – one of the highest amounts the hospice has received.

Homeowners also recently planted a cherry tree, donated by McCarthy and Stone, in the grounds of the development in Bernie’s memory.

Shane Paul, regional managing director for the company, said: “Bernie was such a caring, well-respected and trusted member of the team and gave many years of service to YourLife and McCarthy and Stone.

“Aimee’s skydive was such a fitting tribute to Bernie given her fun-loving spirit, so it’s only right we were able to commemorate her in this way.”

Jill West, community fundraiser for Oakhaven Hospice, added: “We’re so grateful to everyone at Farringford Court for the money that has been raised for Oakhaven Hospice in Bernie Hurdle’s memory, which will go a long way in helping us to continue to provide specialist palliative care and support to those facing life-limiting illnesses.”