Tina Franklin will be stepping out of an aeroplane at the end of August to raise funds for a charity that supports people suffering from cancer and haematology illnesses.
But Tina won’t be stepping on to an airport apron; her plane will still be several thousand feet in the air!
On 29 August Tina will be making her first tandem skydive: “I will be jumping out of a plane and hopefully falling with grace back down to earth!” she said. “I'm terrified, but I am going to do it because statistics currently show that every 75 seconds someone in the UK will receive a cancer diagnosis. So, by the time I have completed my descent, one more life will be affected.
“I have seen this first hand with so many of my friends and family including my Nan, both my parents and four of my best friends who were all diagnosed with cancer. I sadly lost my nan, mother, father and one of my best friends to The Big C. While three of my friends are now in remission they still live with the trauma of what they went through and the fear of the disease returning everyday,” Tina added.
Tina was inspired to do something to help by Alvin Printwhistle, the Elvis Presley tribute artist, whose own charity, Cancer Haematology & Related Medicine (CHARM), supports CCHF. Alvin was himself diagnosed with lymphoma – a type of cancer that develops in the lymphatic system – and he required treatment at the Cancer Care and Haematology Unit (CCHU) at Stoke Mandeville Hospital. He and his wife Yvonne are huge supporters of CCHF and have raised more than £100,000 for the charity.
Mike Snell, CCHF Trustee, said: “We are hugely grateful to Tina in taking on this thrilling challenge; I’m not sure I would have the nerve to step out into the unknown! We can reassure her supporters that every penny raised will be spent in providing help and comfort to those who require cancer treatment in Buckinghamshire.”
You can donate to Tina’s fundraiser by visiting her Just Giving website, and she has already raised a large proportion of her £2,000 target. Please remember to Gift Aid your donation if you are able.
Tina added: “On meeting Alvin for a second time and chatting to him about his health and story, I instantly thought that my gift of a tandem skydive from my husband Gary for my birthday would not only make me feel alive again but could be put to further good use and help others who need the support through their difficult times – whether it’s a patient, nurse, family, friend or updated facilities, gardens, treatments, etc. As I told Alvin, even if I only raised enough for new tea making facilities it’s helping with one well deserved cup of tea at a time and even £1 is a £1 they never had to start with … and who doesn’t love a good cup of tea!”
CCHF works across Buckinghamshire supporting those who are being treated for cancer and haematology illnesses by Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, particularly at CCHU, Stoke Mandeville, and the similar Sunrise Unit, at Wycombe Hospital. Click here to see what we do.
16 July 2026