Nurses have a head for heights

Veterinary nurses have gone to dizzying heights – 13,000 feet – to raise money for Dogs for the Disabled.
By The Newsroom
Published 4th Sep 2013, 08:00 BST

While other vet nurses are limbering up for a triathlon next month for Guide dogs for the Blind.

Six nurses at Avonvale Veterinary centres braved the heady heights and raised nearly £3,000 when they took part in a skydiving-parachute jump in Oxfordshire.

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They were fundraising for Dogs for the Disabled, which was founded in 1988 by Kenilworth woman Frances Hay, and which now has its headquarters in Banbury.

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MHLC 19-08-13 Parachute Aug51 Six nurses from Avonvale Veterinary Centres, who raised £3,000 from a parachute jump for Dogs for the Disabled, will be joining three local disabled people and their assistance dogs at the Wellesbourne surgery. Pictured,Back row,from left,Jude Machin (dog Tamsin),Emily Knight,Sarah Smith,Russell Hall (vet) and Amy Wilkins. From row-Gina Moss with (dog Keaton), and Dan Smith with (dog Vesta) .MHLC 19-08-13 Parachute Aug51 Six nurses from Avonvale Veterinary Centres, who raised £3,000 from a parachute jump for Dogs for the Disabled, will be joining three local disabled people and their assistance dogs at the Wellesbourne surgery. Pictured,Back row,from left,Jude Machin (dog Tamsin),Emily Knight,Sarah Smith,Russell Hall (vet) and Amy Wilkins. From row-Gina Moss with (dog Keaton), and Dan Smith with (dog Vesta) .
MHLC 19-08-13 Parachute Aug51 Six nurses from Avonvale Veterinary Centres, who raised £3,000 from a parachute jump for Dogs for the Disabled, will be joining three local disabled people and their assistance dogs at the Wellesbourne surgery. Pictured,Back row,from left,Jude Machin (dog Tamsin),Emily Knight,Sarah Smith,Russell Hall (vet) and Amy Wilkins. From row-Gina Moss with (dog Keaton), and Dan Smith with (dog Vesta) .

Those taking part were Hannah Orfeur, of the Kenilworth centre, Sarah Smith at Southam, roving nurse Laura Perkins and Helen Reeve, Emily Knight and Amy Wilkins at Wellesbourne.

Amy, who grew up in Wellesbourne and lives on the outskirts of Warwick, said: “When we were freefalling, that was a bit terrifying and as we edged to the door I was a bit nervous.

“But I didn’t have any choice about backing out, I was strapped to my tandem-partner skydiving expert. It felt amazing afterwards and I felt like I wanted to do it again – we all did.”

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While they can rest on their laurels, nurses at the Avonvale practice in Broxell Close, Warwick, are getting set for the Coniston Team Challenge triathlon next month.

They will join a team of six from Avonvale centres who will climb the Old Man of Coniston, which is 2,600 feet above sea level, tackle a 10-kilometre mountain bike course through forest and canoe across Coniston Water.

Team leader Natasha Ellis said: “As a practice we are always trying to find ways of raising money for charity and this is a great way to boost funds for the Guide Dogs and to have lots of fun along the way.

“We have been in training for a while but I think it will be a tough challenge.”

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The team is also running fundraising activities in the surgery, including a bake sale and an Avonvale cook book with favourite recipes for people and pets.

To sponsor them go to www.justgiving.com/teams/Avonvale or phone 01926 400255.

Related topics:NursesKenilworthOxfordshire