Earlier this month, Holly and Joe completed a charity skydive in support of The Christie Charity, raising more than £3,000 for a cause that has had a profound impact on their lives.

Joe previously received treatment for cancer at The Christie and is now thankfully cancer free. Holly also has close family members and friends who have benefited from the care provided by the hospital, making the charity a particularly meaningful one for them both.

Their challenge saw them ascend to 15,000 feet before taking the leap and experiencing the thrill of freefall above the clouds. After their parachutes deployed, they enjoyed a spectacular descent before landing safely, completing what Holly described as an amazing experience.

The fundraising effort received support from Freemasons across the Western Area. A total of £450 was donated through the Western Area Charity Fund, Lodge of Merit No.934, and Derby Chapter. Whilst Western Area charity funds are not typically used to support large national charities, a decision was made to support the appeal due to the significant impact The Christie has on local communities. As a world-leading cancer centre, many Freemasons, their families, and friends have benefitted from its care and expertise over the years.

The proposal to support Holly and Joe’s fundraising was brought forward by WBro Paul Cichy, Charity Steward of Lodge of Merit, and the donations helped contribute towards the fantastic total raised for the charity. Holly is the granddaughter of WBro Jim Hodge of Lodge of Merit, who has expressed his sincere gratitude to the Freemasons of the Western Area for their generosity and support of a cause that means so much to his family.

Following the skydive, messages of thanks were received from Holly and her family, expressing their gratitude for the generosity and encouragement shown by Freemasons across the Area.

Congratulations to Holly and Joe on completing such a remarkable challenge and raising an outstanding amount for a truly worthy cause. Their efforts will help The Christie continue its life-changing work for patients and families across the region.