Colchester & Ipswich Hospitals Charity

19/06/2026

🪂💙More of our ESNEFT Colleagues taking on the skydive! 💙🪂

Tomorrow is the day!

Several of our incredible ESNEFT colleagues are taking on The Big Jump Skydive, stepping out of a plane at 13,000ft to raise funds for Colchester & Ipswich Hospitals Charity. ✈️

These amazing individuals are pushing themselves far outside their comfort zones to make a difference for patients, families and staff across our hospitals.

Meet:
💙 Kerri Nicoll and daughter Isabel
💙 Mark Balles
💙 James Stephens

Each has their own reason for taking on this unforgettable challenge, and we're incredibly grateful for their support.

Good luck to all of our skydivers taking part tomorrow😍

Sponsor our skydivers at:
💙justgiving.com/page/kerri-nicoll-6
💙justgiving.com/page/james-plummets
💙justgiving.com/page/mark-anthony-balles-1



East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust

18/06/2026

🪂 Less than 48 hours to go! 🪂

Meet Chris Roberds from Ceetech Ltd., who is taking on our Big Jump Skydive this Saturday in support of the Cancer Wellbeing Centre.

Chris is no stranger to a challenge. Having completed our Extreme Abseil last year and again earlier this month, he's now preparing to leap from 13,000ft before taking on the Whole Hog muddy obstacle race later this year!

As part of Ceetech, one of our valued Charity of the Year partners, Chris has been a fantastic supporter of Colchester & Ipswich Hospitals Charity. Ceetech recently sponsored volunteer refreshments at our Extreme Abseil and continues to support our work throughout the year.

Chris although, "terrified and excited" to be taking part, he's aiming to raise £500 to go towards the service that supports those living with and beyond a cancer diagnosis.

We're incredibly grateful to Chris for continuing to push himself out of his comfort zone to support patients and their families.

Good luck, Chris! We'll be cheering you on from the ground!

💙 To support Chris and the Cancer Wellbeing Centre, please make a donation here: justgiving.com/page/chris-roberds

17/06/2026

🪂 Meet Emma Reeve, one of our incredible Big Jump Skydivers taking on the challenge this Saturday! 💙

Emma is jumping not only to support patients and staff at her local hospital but also to prove to herself that living with an invisible condition doesn't have to limit what you can achieve.

Her honesty, courage and determination are truly inspiring, and we're so grateful she's chosen to support Colchester & Ipswich Hospitals Charity.

Please take a moment to read Emma's story and, if you're able, support her fundraising journey. Every donation will help your friends and family when they need it most.
justgiving.com/page/emma-reeve-1773249719888

Good luck, Emma! We'll be cheering you on every step (and jump!) of the way! ✈️💙

The next big Colchester & Ipswich Hospitals Charity event takes place on Saturday 20th June: The Big Jump Sky Dive! Bryan Davidson presents the ‘Good Times Radio Show’ on Saturday mornings on HRI and his daughter Emma is taking part. Here’s what she had to say:

“One week until jump day! ✈️🪂

A huge thank you to everyone who has donated so far. Your support means so much to me. With only a week to go, I thought I'd share a little more about why I wanted to do this.

I've had my own health challenges, and some of them are things I live with every single day. For a long time, I found that really frustrating because, in my head, I just wanted to be ‘normal.’

Over time, I've realised there is no such thing as normal. Everyone faces their own challenges and battles. But for me, taking on this skydive is proof that, despite those challenges, I can still do incredible things... even if that means jumping out of a plane!

I've been working for East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust for nearly three years now, and it has been a real turning point in my life and a complete career change. I genuinely enjoy what I do, and I'm lucky to work alongside such a fantastic team. Being happy at work is half the battle won when we spend so much of our lives there.

Because of that, I wanted to give something back as my way of saying thank you.
When I heard about the fundraiser for the Time Garden at Ipswich Hospital, I knew I had to get involved. The Time Garden is a project to create a peaceful outdoor space for patients spending time in hospital. It will be a safe place where people can spend precious moments with loved ones, away from the wards, the medications, and the challenges they may be facing. A place where they can simply reflect, recharge, and find a little sense of normality.

So while this skydive isn't really about me, I do feel like I have something to prove to myself. This is for everyone living with an invisible condition. This is for everyone facing challenges that others may not see.
And this is for giving patients and their families somewhere they can find comfort, connection, and precious time together.

Thank you for taking the time to read this, and thank you again for all of your support. ❤️”

If you would like to sponsor Emma, just search for Emma Reeve on the ‘Just Giving’ website.

17/06/2026

🩵💜🩷💚💙Colour Run 2026! 🩵💜🩷💚💙

Every burst of colour holds even more meaning this year😍

As you run, walk, jog and laugh your way around the course, you'll be helping to create a calm and beautiful space for patients at end-of-life and the people they love through our Time Garden Appeal.

From vibrant powder stations to unforgettable memories with friends and family, every colourful moment will help make a real difference.

Whether you're aiming for 1km, 2.5km or 5km, there's a distance for everyone. This is all about having fun, getting colourful and fundraising to support those who need it the most.

🎨 Free white charity t-shirt
🎨 Free sunglasses
🎨 Free colour powder pouch
🎨 Colour explosions around the course
🎨 Celebratory Medal

📆 Saturday 12 September
⏰ 10 am Start
📍 Christchurch Park, Ipswich
💙 All ages welcome

Sign up today and let's make this the biggest Colour Run yet! colchesteripswichcharity.org.uk/Event/colour-run-2026



Proudly sponsored by KLH Architects Ltd, Castons and JSH

16/06/2026

🪂🛩️Skydiver Spotlight🛩️🪂

Regular supporter Michael Adams has once again shown that age is no barrier to adventure💙

After completing a thrilling Wing Walk challenge last year, Michael took on our Extreme Abseil just days ago, descending the 135ft Ipswich Hospital Tower in support of our Time Garden Appeal.

Michael is now set to jump from 13,000ft at 120mph at the Big Jump Skydive on Saturday, 20 June.

Thanks to his fundraising efforts, Michael has raised £605 for our Time Garden Appeal, helping to build a homely, comforting space, away from the busy hospital environment, so people facing the end of their life can spend time with those they love.

Michael has close connections to our hospitals, with two immediate family members having received care here before their passing. His continued support is a touching way of giving back and helping others in their memory.

And it seems Michael's daredevil days aren't over just yet! At 75 years young, he's already talking about taking on another Wing Walk, but only if they let him go upside down! ✈️🙃

Thank you, Michael, for your courage, generosity and unwavering support. You continue to inspire us all💙

To boost Michael's fundraising you can visit: justgiving.com/page/michael-adams-5

15/06/2026

Don't miss your chance to be part of something truly special!

There's still time to join the Ipswich Hospital Baby Bereavement Group 100 Club, but subscriptions close on 16 June, so hurry! For just £24 a year, you'll be supporting the Ipswich Baby Bereavement Group in providing comfort and care to families experiencing the heartbreak of baby loss, while giving yourself 12 chances to win throughout the year.

Thanks to supporters like you, the group has already helped fund memory boxes, specialist cuddle cots and a dedicated quiet room for bereaved families. Could you help make an even bigger difference?

Join today. Support local families, and be in with a chance to win.💙 Visit: givewheel.com/fundraising/15841/ipswich-baby-bereavement-group-100-club-2627/ or our website for more details.

15/06/2026

🤩 Skydiver Spotlight 🤩

Meet Victoria Green, Manager of Hunnitots Nursery at Ipswich Hospital, who is taking on our Big Jump Skydive this weekend to support enhancements at a new purpose-built nursery.

Victoria loves every part of her job, the children, their families, her incredible team, and the exciting future they're building together. However, Victoria started this year unsuspecting that she would be throwing herself out of a plane! A skydive was not on Victoria's bucket list. A new purpose-built nursery, however, was!

As with every dream, there are hurdles to navigate along the way.

Victoria shared: "I realised when I signed up that I was too heavy to jump, so I set myself a challenge to lose 21lbs. I'm incredibly proud (and slightly shocked!) to say I've done it."

Despite being terrified of heights, Victoria is preparing to step out of a plane at 13,000ft.

"Escalators in London are enough to make me want to pass out, so willingly stepping out of a plane feels… bold, questionable, and slightly ridiculous. But I do love a challenge (and apparently a bit of adrenaline), so I’m choosing to believe I’ll be absolutely fine!"

Worried she wouldn’t raise enough to even cover the cost of the jump, let alone make any real difference, Victoria has already raised over £1,700 to help provide exciting resources for children at the new nursery.

"I want to show my children, and every child at Hunnitots, that you really can achieve anything you put your mind to."

Good luck, Victoria! We're all behind you! 💙

Help boost Victoria's fundraising by making a donation at: justgiving.com/page/victoria-green-1

11/06/2026

💙Thank You Thursday💙

Following their incredible achievement at the London Marathon, we were delighted to welcome George Foster, Sam Knibbs and Mike Green back to celebrate their fundraising success and present their donations to the teams that they chose to support.

Together, they raised an incredible £23,868👏

💜 George ran in memory of his daughter Olive and to support families affected by baby loss.
💚 Sam took on the challenge while living with stage 4 cancer, raising funds in recognition of the care he has received.
💙 Mike completed not one but two marathons in memory of his wife Collette and to support the Radiotherapy Fund.

We couldn't be more grateful for their dedication, determination and support.

Inspired by their stories?

🏃 Applications for our London Marathon 2027 charity places are open now, but not for much longer.

📅 Applications close at midnight on Sunday 28 June.

We have just four places available, and we'd love to hear why you'd like to run for Colchester & Ipswich Hospitals Charity.

Apply now at forms.cloud.microsoft/e/hdtYGUmxGP

09/06/2026

We’re still blown away by the bravery, determination and personal stories shared by everyone who took part in this year’s Extreme Abseil. 💙🧗

Behind every harness was a story. From grateful grandparents and dedicated NHS staff to cancer survivors, bereaved parents and families navigating rare diagnoses, each participant had their own reason for taking the leap.

We wanted to highlight a few of the inspiring people who helped make this year's event so special.

Thank you to everyone who shared their stories and personal journeys before and during the event 💙

Find out what inspired these fabulous participants here:colchesteripswichcharity.org.uk/news/the-personal-stories-behind-an-incredible-60000


Proudly sponsored by Eastern Lifts - Eastern Lift Services

08/06/2026

💙What an incredible weekend! 💙

Our Extreme Abseil 2026 has come to an end, and we're thrilled to share that together we have raised an amazing £60,000 😍

Over two unforgettable days, brave fundraisers stepped over the edge of Ipswich Hospital's iconic tower, conquering fears, making memories and raising vital funds to support patients, families and staff across our hospitals.

To every participant who took on the 135ft challenge, thank you! You helped make this event a huge success.

Events on this scale are only possible because of the support of so many people, organisations and teams working together.

💙 Thank you to Eastern Lifts (Eastern Lift Services), our event sponsor, for helping make this year's Extreme Abseil possible.

📻 Thank you to Hospital Radio Ipswich for keeping participants and spectators entertained throughout the weekend and creating such a fantastic atmosphere.

🥪 Thank you to Ration Box for keeping everyone fed and watered across the two days.

☕ Thank you to Ceetech Ltd. for sponsoring refreshments for our wonderful volunteers.

🧗 Thank you to Dave Talbot - Adventure Events and the entire abseil team for their professionalism, expertise and encouragement, ensuring every participant felt safe and supported from start to finish.

🙌 Thank you to our incredible volunteers. From registration and marshalling to cheering participants on and helping everything run smoothly behind the scenes, we simply couldn't do it without you.

🏥 We'd also like to thank the many East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust hospital teams who support this event before, during and after the weekend. Thank you for your support and cooperation. Events like this are a true team effort and we are incredibly grateful for everything you do.

And finally, thank you to everyone who donated, shared our posts, came along to support participants or simply stopped to cheer from the ground. Your support means so much.

Thank you for helping make the Extreme Abseil 2026 such a remarkable success💙