Grandfather raises money for Fortuneswell Cancer Trust by skydiving

Tom Burnham, of Weymouth, will be taking the daring leap on Saturday, August 20, for Fortuneswell Cancer Trust after he was diagnosed with cancer and treated at the Fortuneswell Ward at Dorset County Hospital - and he has already raised thousands of pounds.

Mr Burnham's wife, Sally, said the decision to take on the fundraising challenge was made a while ago after Mr Burnham underwent chemotherapy last September at the ward and was inspired to raise money to help them to continue doing 'such a fantastic job'.

Sadly, on July 19 this year, Mr Burnham was given the news that his cancer was terminal.

He set up a JustGiving page for donations online and has already raised a whopping £2,478 for the local cancer charity - more than double Mr Burnham's initial £1,000 target.

Some of the money raised includes funds from a recent garden party held by Mr and Mrs Burnham, which was able to raise around £760.

When asked why he had decided take on this challenge, Mr Burnham said: "It touched me the way the staff at the ward ran around looking after people like myself, so I really wanted to give something back.

"In a mad moment I thought, I can't run, I can't ride - but I can fall."

On taking the leap, the 70-year-old father-of-three and grandfather to six grandchildren, said he was 'twitchy' but was glad that he would be making the jump from Dunkeswell Skydiving near Honiton with two of his sons.

Fortuneswell Cancer Trust is a registered charity that seeks to improve the services to cancer patients in Dorset, mainly through Dorset County Hospital. It has no paid staff – the Trust is run by Trustees and a Committee with other volunteers helping out when necessary. It says its running costs are minimal so donations really help cancer patients locally. The Trust has the full support of Dorset County Hospital Management.

Anyone interested in donating to Mr Burnham's fundraiser can do so by visiting www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Sally-Burnham1