Crematorium staff on a high after fundraiser
Two members of the team at West Berkshire Crematorium are on a high after taking the plunge to raise more than £1,000 for Huntington’s Disease Association (HDA).
Crematorium Site Manager Steph Langford and Crematorium Assistant Emmaura Leahy leapt from a plane at 13,500 feet in tandem with two professional skydivers.
West Berkshire Crematorium is part of Westerleigh Group, the UK’s largest owner and operator of crematoria and cemeteries, with 37 sites in England, Scotland, and Wales, all set within beautifully landscaped gardens of remembrance which provide pleasant, peaceful places for people to visit and reflect.
In January, the group announced that HDA would be its corporate charity partner for 2022, after former Chief Executive Officer Roger Mclaughlan stepped down after learning he had inherited a faulty gene that leads to Huntington’s Disease.
Steph said: “The idea to do the skydive came about when we heard about Roger, and that Westerleigh Group was going to fundraise for HDA.
“What made our jump extra special was that Roger and his wife Claire were at Netheravon to watch us do it.
“We’re so grateful to everyone who supported us with donations to a charity which is close to the hearts of everyone at Westerleigh Group.
“We had donations from family, friends, funeral directors and many others through our JustGiving fundraising page.
“We were both confident going into the skydive but that’s not to say that we didn’t have some fears to conquer. My scariest moment was going through a cloud and hearing my instructor telling me we had to move our position in case someone fell on us.
“For Emmaura, the most frightening moment was moving towards the open door of the plane at more than 13,000 feet and seeing the clouds below rushing by.
“But overall, the experience was thrilling and fantastic and, of course, for a very great cause.”
While Steph has said she would be happy to skydive again, Emmaura is not so keen.
Steph added: “We would both like to do the longest zip line in the UK, in Wales, next, so watch this space!”
For additional donations, please visit Steph and Emmaura’s fundraising page, https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/WestBerkshire
