A woman is preparing to take to the skies above Norfolk to raise money for the hospital which cared for her grandmother during her breast cancer treatment.

Emily Petch will take part in the charity skydive on 9 July with money raised going to the Boudicca Breast Cancer Appeal at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.

Emily, who is originally from Norwich but now living in London, said: “My Nanny, Pat Petch, unfortunately passed away in November aged 79 after a 15-year battle with breast cancer, and she was always so thankful for the NHS and the staff at NNUH for their constant care and empathy.”

“I am so grateful for how the staff supported my Nanny and I want to contribute towards the new breast cancer unit, so they can continue to help families just as they have helped mine.”

The latest development in the project to create a new breast cancer unit has been the opening of a reception and waiting area, funded by donations to the Boudicca Appeal.

The breast cancer unit handles all referrals of suspected breast cancer, which have almost doubled in recent years.
The Boudicca Breast Cancer Appeal has raised more than £500,000, which has been used to purchase a Stereotactic mammography system which uses low-dose x-rays to help locate a breast abnormality and remove a tissue and is less invasive than surgical biopsy.

Emily, 23, said: “I am going to pay for the skydive out of my own pocket, so 100 per cent of the money I raise will go directly to the Boudicca Appeal. My Nanny always spoke so highly of the incredible treatment she received at the N&N al during this time, and she was very grateful for the kindness and empathy shown by the staff.”

Dr Arne Juette, Consultant Radiologist and Director of Breast Screening, said: “We are so grateful to the donations we have received in recent years and it’s fantastic that people like Emily are continuing to support the Boudicca Appeal. It’s wonderful to see the new unit coming together and everything that has been achieved. We are looking forward to the next development which is the creation of patient counselling rooms.”

You can sponsor Emily and her skydive via her JustGiving page https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/emilypetch

For more information about the N&N Hospitals Charity and how you can help please visit www.nnhospitalscharity.org.uk or follow us on social media @NNHospCharity