13 August 2019 Co-operative colleague flies high for charity

Strapped to the top wing of a biplane, a co-operative colleague has flown 2,000ft in the air – all in the name of a local charity

Lucy Hitchcock, a Duty Manager at The Co-operative Food – Mere, has raised nearly £800 for Dorothy House Hospice Care by completing the nerve shattering wing-walk.

The 22-year-old first learnt about the challenge through work as Dorothy House is the current charity partner of the convenience store in The Square.

Being part of Southern Co-op – the regional, independent co-operative – store colleagues are able to choose a local cause which means something to them and support it with fundraising activities, donations and volunteering.

Lucy said: “I hadn’t even considered doing a wing-walk until I saw the poster up at work but it sounded so exciting. I started telling all of our customers, my friends, family and colleagues.

“It is astonishing what we have done so far for Dorothy House! Thanks to everyone’s support we have raised just under £800 which I hope will make a big difference.

“On the day, the worst bit was climbing up to the plane as once you are strapped in there is nothing you can do about it. The pilot can see you from the cockpit and there were signals I had to learn to let him know if I wanted to stop but I don’t think I could have made the signal even if I had wanted to.

“The wind was so strong. I couldn’t close my mouth. I was up there for around 15 minutes which was one of the longest flights that day as I’d ask for the ‘rollercoaster’ mode.

“It was amazing. I would do it again in a heartbeat.”

Dorothy House provides care and support for people with life-limiting illnesses in Bath, north east Somerset and parts of Wiltshire. The team focuses on quality of life, so patients can live well and die well.

Verity Clark, Community Fundraiser at Dorothy House Hospice Care, said: “A massive thank you Lucy for taking on this incredible once-in-a-lifetime challenge to raise money for Dorothy House Hospice Care.

“Lucy was strapped to the wings of a bi-plane as she soared above the stunning Cotsworlds and raised over £800 (and counting!) for the hospice with your help, that will go directly to helping deliver palliative care in our community. Could you like Lucy take on the challenge of a Wingwalk?”

To find out more about future wingwalks or fundraising events for Dorothy House, visit www.dorothyhouse.org.uk/get-involved/fundraising/wingwalk/.

Southern Co-op’s stores support local good causes as part of the society’s community engagement programme ‘Love Your Neighbourhood’. This initiative addresses four key social themes for promoting: ‘Greener’, ‘Healthier’, ‘Safer’, and ‘More Inclusive’ neighbourhoods.

To find out more, visit www.southernco-op.co.uk/makingadifference.