Charity Skydive for Royal Papworth Hospital
23rd October 25
On Saturday 18th October, staff member Erica and students Daniel and Kim took to the skies in a thrilling charity skydive to raise funds for the Royal Papworth Charity.
Their courageous leap from 13,000 feet was not just a personal challenge – it was a powerful act of support for one of the UK’s leading heart and lung hospitals. Together, they raised an incredible £2,191 to help the charity continue its vital work.
Daniel – who has also volunteered at Royal Papworth Hospital – shared his experience:
“I began volunteering at Royal Papworth Hospital in November 2024, where I witnessed the dedication and compassion of the medical staff as they consistently went above and beyond to support patients. Their commitment truly inspired me to contribute beyond my volunteer duties, so I took part in a charity marathon. During the event, I met Zoe, a charity organiser, who introduced me to the idea of fundraising through a charity skydive. Motivated by this, I gave a whole-school assembly to encourage others to join the cause. Together, we successfully raised over £2,000—an experience that strengthened my leadership, communication, and teamwork skills, while reaffirming my desire to pursue medicine. The skydive itself was absolutely unforgettable. It was a mix of adrenaline, breath-taking views, and a surprising sense of peace once the parachute opened. It was an honour to support Royal Papworth Charity in a way that felt personal and impactful. The instructors were brilliant and made the whole process feel safe and enjoyable. I’d definitely do it again and would highly recommend it to my friends.”
Our member of staff, Erica, reflected:
“My reason for completing the skydive is deeply personal—my late mother had a triple heart bypass. Although it wasn’t performed at Royal Papworth Hospital, this felt like the perfect opportunity to honour her memory while supporting a world-leading heart and lung hospital. I’ve always wanted to do a tandem skydive, and combining that dream with fundraising made the experience even more meaningful. It was truly awesome, and I wholeheartedly recommend it.”
The Royal Papworth Charity helps ensure that patients, their families, and hospital staff continue to receive the highest standards of care. It does this by investing in:
- Staff development and training
- Improvements to the hospital environment
- Research into new treatments for heart and lung disease
This important work is made possible by the generosity of supporters like Erica, Daniel, and Kim. Many congratulations to them – everyone at Abbey College Cambridge is extremely proud!
If you’d like to contribute to this cause, donations are still welcome via Erica’s JustGiving page: Erica Botha is fundraising for Royal Papworth Hospital Charity
View a highlighted video of Daniels jump here.
