Partially blind Blackburn student to take on 11,000ft skydive in memory of great aunt

Samantha Leecy, from Blackburn,  is showing her bravery by completing a Skydive on behalf of East Lancashire Hospice on July 17, not just because she's jumping out of a plane, but because she is also partially blind.

But Samantha won’t be alone when she jumps as her step-dad, Matthew Howarth has agreed to jump with her.

Samatha, who is a second year drama student at UCLAN said: “My Mum Vicki Howarth signed us both up in April, but she waited until my step-dad had had a drink before talking him into it.”

Samantha and her great aunt, Olwen

Mrs Howarth has helped them both organise registering for the sky dive which is being completed in memory of her aunt, Olwen Baldwin, who is Samantha’s great aunt.

Samatha went on: “My Great Aunt needed end of life care in April 2020 for cancer, and the Hospice looked after her at home so that she could stay with her family when Covid would have meant she would have been alone.

“I’m ready to jump 11,000ft, but I think my step-dad may need a little push.”

Samantha also has other links to the hospice as her Grandmother Vivienne Hoyle, Olwen’s sister, works there, so the family know how much the fundraising efforts mean to the Hospice.

She continued:n “I wanted to do my bit to help make a difference.”

It costs £456 per hour to maintain the East Lancashire Hospice and to provide care for patients like Olwen with end of life support at home, and other patients in the hospice itself.

To help support Samantha raise funds for the Hospice, visit her Just Giving Page on Samantha Leecy Just giving