Hartlepool foodbank team reach new heights in support of town families

Taking to the skies for a parachute jump in aid of Hartlepool Foodbank are Rev Clive Hall (left) and Susan Atkinson (right) pictured with Abi Knowles of the Foodbank.

A team of trustees of the Trussell Trust charity that provides emergency food parcels to people in financial crisis will do a skydive next month to boost their supplies.

Chair Clive Hall, vice chair Susan Atkinson, treasurer Angela Carrick and Clive’s 18-year-old son Ben, will all throw themselves out of an aeroplane from 10,000 feet before parachuting to earth.

Foodbank coordinator Abi Knowles in the Hartlepool Foodbank food storage area.

They hope to raise at least £2,000 for the foodbank, based in Church Street,

Clive, 57, who came up with the idea, said: “I was on a plane to Poland recently and said ‘wouldn’t it be great if we could all jump out now?’.

“When I was in my 20s I did static line jumping, but that was a long time ago.

“Everyone sees it now on I’m a Celebrity where they parachute into the jungle.

“We are at a point now at the foodbank where we need to start raising some funds.

“This is the first of many different ideas to help.”

They will hurtle to the ground strapped to an instructor in the jump from Peterlee Airfield at Shotton on September 1.

Susan, 65, is looking forward to the adrenaline-filed experience.

“I have done a lot of sponsored walks and things but nothing quite as dramatic,” she said.

“I am quite looking forward to it. I think it will be fantastic.”

Abi Knowles, coordinator of Hartlepool Foodbank, said the money will help them to buy supplies which can quickly run out and are needed for emergency food parcels outside of their normal opening times.

She praised the team of skydivers saying: “They are so brave. It is good that we are doing something a bit different and it is nice to push the boat out a little bit and do something eyecatching.

“I think it will be a real boost for us. It’s more difficult to get grants so anything we can raise through events like this will be really useful.

“It will be good to have a bit of extra cash as a buffer if any particular projects come up.”

Sponsor forms are available at All Saints Stranton and St Mary’s and St Joseph’s churches in Hartlepool.

Supporters can also pledge money online at www.gofundme.com/hartlepool-foodbank-sky-dive