Friends take to the skies inspired by dad’s treatment
Natasha Burton, alongside friends Lauren and Katie Boxall, have raised an incredible £2,962.50 for University Hospitals Birmingham Charity’s Cancer appeal after taking on a skydive!
The three friends were inspired to take on the skydive after Natasha’s dad, Andrew Burton was treated for throat cancer at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham. Following his diagnosis in October 2018 he received a course of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, spending every day in hospital.
After a neck dissection in July 2019 Andrew received the all clear the following month and his treatment inspired Natasha to take on a fundraising event.
She said: “It’s thanks to the QE that my dad is still with us and they still keep a close eye on him to make sure it doesn’t have a chance to come back. I wanted to raise money to say thank you to the amazing team that saved his life.”
Natasha encouraged her friends Lauren and Katie to join her, and together they signed up to one of UHB Charity’s skydive events. The ongoing pandemic postponed the skydive until September, when the trio took to the skies at the Hinton Airfield.
Natasha, centre, with Lauren and Katie.
Speaking of the experience, Natasha said: “It was such a surreal experience and to be able to do it with my childhood best friends was even better. It felt amazing to be able to give something back to the QE but on top of that to do something that made my dad proud.”
Roisin Mooney, Events Fundraising Officer at UHB Charity, said: “On behalf of everyone at UHB Charity I would like to thank Natasha, Lauren and Katie for raising so much money for the Cancer appeal at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham.
“It’s wonderful to hear that Natasha’s dad received such good treatment at the hospital and that he has been given the all clear. Thanks to the generosity and hard work of our fundraisers and donors, we are able to support cancer patients across the hospital by providing cutting-edge equipment, funding world-leading research trials, and providing added extras to make the hospital experience more comfortable for our patients.
“Back in 2013 your donations helped us to bring CyberKnife to the hospital which has since gone on to treat 2,000 head and neck cancer patients. For many, this was the only treatment that was capable of saving their lives. With further support, we will be able to do even more for our cancer patients.”