Emma raises over £1,200 in aid of the palliative care charity Life & Time, who took care of her great-uncle
A WARRENPOINT woman has recently completed a charity tandem skydive in Dubai, which raised over £1,200 for Life & Time.
The charity took care of Emma Carr’s great-uncle, who died from cancer last year.
Peter Rogan, from Warrenpoint, was diagnosed with Mesothelioma (cancer associated especially with exposure to asbestos) in March last year, at the age of 66.
He sadly passed away last December.
Emma, his great-niece, told the Mourne Observer: “The cancer sadly took his life in eight and a half months. I was very lucky to make it home in time to see him in his final days and be with my family.
“I was very close to Peter. He was a character, and so well known in our town. He always made everyone laugh. He had a heart of gold. He would do anything for anyone.
“He inspired me so much and he is part of the reason I’m now living abroad teaching.
“It has been an honour to have been fundraising for Life & Time in his memory.”
Emma organised a birthday fundraiser in February of this year for her uncle and raised £330 for Life & Time.
But after that she felt there was more work to do.
She thought about what event to do and came up with a tandem skydive.
“I wanted to do something after [the birthday fundraiser] to raise even more money for the charity and in memory of my great-uncle. I made the decision to do a skydive as a different way to fundraise.
“I previously did a skydive back in 2017, raising money for PIPS. I love to challenge myself and I knew the skydive would be something amazing to do, especially in Dubai!”
Life & Time is a community based and funded service which provides care and support (additional to that already provided by the NHS and the voluntary sector) for adults at or near the end of life in a home setting between the hours of 10pm and 8am, regardless of cause.
They provide their service to the communities of Warrenpoint, Burren, Rostrevor, Rathfriland, Hilltown and Mayobridge.
Emma explained that the charity provided crucial support to her family at a very difficult time in their lives.
“Life & Time gave support in Peter’s last eight days or so.
“At night, along with the Macmillan nurses, they were on the end of the phone every night and would come out. They could increase and administer medication if needed.
“It meant not having to wait until the community nurses were on in the morning time or having to wait on the clinic opening.
“After my great-uncle passed, they then contacted our family to offer support in our grief. They have been amazing in supporting my family.
“All fundraising is important to Life & Time as a palliative charity. Funds will be put to good use in providing care and support for local families who have loved ones at home, who are at ‘end of life’”.
Deciding to do a skydive, and working out which charity to donate to, were only the first steps of her fundraising efforts. Emma knew she also had to promote the event in order to raise as much money as possible.
“I made sure to keep sharing my fundraising page when I could via social media.
“In the days building up to the skydive I continued to share the JustGiving fundraising page and promote the skydive.
“Before the skydive, I received training in how to be safe during the skydive and enjoy the experience!”
After all the fundraising was complete, that left just one thing to do.
On Sunday the 2nd of June she got her gear together and climbed aboard the plane that would take her high above Dubai.
“The skydive was absolutely amazing,” she said in the days afterwards.
“The adrenaline is something else! The view over Dubai was just magical.
“As soon as we landed, I wanted to go back up! I would recommend anyone to take part in a skydive, especially to raise money for a charity.”
The efforts of those who rallied behind the cause have impressed the Warrenpoint teacher.
“The support has been amazing,” Emma said.
“I’ve always done a lot of charity fundraising at home, but this one was very special because it was in memory of Peter.
“It’s been fantastic knowing I can make a difference fundraising even when living abroad.
“With the generous donations from family, friends and our community I’ve raised a total of £1,265 for Life & Time.
“My motto has always been: ‘The secret to living is giving’,” she added.