Gemma jumps for joy
£2,000 for hospice
(Herald Express 8/6/2006)

A Berkhamsted woman took a massive leap of faith for the Hospice of St Francis.

Gemma Richardson, 24, of Lombardy Drive, completed a sponsored parachute jump last week to raise more than £2,000.
She said: "It was very scary but I landed! It was quite emotional. I had to wait quite a long time before the jump and my emotions got the better of me."

Gemma decided to raise money for the hospice in memory of her father Ray, (inset above), who was treated by the hospice before his death in July 2002 from cancer.
She added: "I think my dad would have been proud. I raised £2,050 which is fantastic. Everyone's been so generous. I feel like I've done something and people should try and do what they can."
Liz Richards of the hospice said: "The hospice is enormously proud of Gemma for doing it. She is an example to others."

The total raised for the Hospice of St Francis by HeraldExpress and The Gazette readers now stands at £268,041.