Skydiving medics to take to the skies for children's fund

Helping others is all in a day's work for paramedic friends Aaron Horner and Steven Massheder.

But jumping thousands of feet out of a plane is not quite their usual way of showing support. The pair, and five of their colleagues, will take to the skies later this year to raise money for the Children’s Heart Surgery Fund at Leeds General Infirmary.

The charity supports children and adults born with congenital heart defects across Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire and Mr Massheder’s 11-month-old son Evan is one of those to have benefited from their care.

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Evan, from Wrenthorpe, was born with a rare defect and at just several hours old, underwent emergency open heart surgery to save his life.

Evan is now doing well.Evan is now doing well.
Evan is now doing well.

Mr Massheder, a Leeds GP and Yorkshire Ambulance Service (YAS) paramedic in Castleford, and his wife Debbie said: “The charity and the fantastic team of doctors, surgeons, nurses and specialists are the reason Evan is now 11-months-old.

“He is now doing very well and faces a fantastic future. We are able to treasure every moment with him.”

Mr Massheder and Mr Horner will take part in a sponsored skydive at Hibaldstow Airfield in September.

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They will be joined by four of their YAS colleagues and a nursing sister at Pinderfields Hospital - James Bichard, Maria Vine-McCabe, Tracey Brown, Sommer Moore and Emily Marchant.

They aim to raise £5,000 for the charity.

Mr Horner said: “I’m really nervous. I am scared of heights - it’s my worst fear and this will be 10,000 feet. No one in the group has ever done it before, but it is such a worthwhile cause. We are doing this as a thank you.”

To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/childrensheartsurgeryskydive