Jump for Josie - charity skydive

For those of you who have taken a look around my blog you will have noticed that I am avidly trying to raise money for Cornwall Hospice Care - a charity who provide two hospices which care for terminally ill patients.

This is a cause very close to my heart and I would like to share my story in the hope that it just might inspire you to donate a small sum of money toward this fantastic cause.

Josie - before she fell ill

My younger sister, Josie, developed leukaemia - a blood cancer - at the age of just 18. She was initally rushed to King's College, London where she had to be put onto life support for a number of weeks with a 5% survival rate as her internal organs closed down. It was here she was diagnosed with leukaemia, and miraculously pulled through to come off of life support, only to have to face 2 and a half years of gruelling chemotherapy treatment, prejudice and ignorance from the public and her peers. She tried to live her young life as normally as possible, continuing to go to nightclubs with her friends and insisting on shopping for cute new outfits whenever she managed to muster the energy. These outings would take 4 or 5 days in bed to recover from, but it was her way of refusing to give up, to stick two fingers up at the illness and be as 'normal' as possible. When she lost her hair, she refused to wear a wig, instead donning punk boots and painting her nails red in defiance. When she lost her lashes, she would put on the biggest, most outrageous false pair she could find. She never was a shrinking violet.


Throughout her battle she remained courageous and dignified, never complaining or self pitying. She survived long enough to see my twin daughters come into the world, and was a fantastic, loving auntie. My son doted on her, and my daughters always smiled when she cuddled them from her hospital bed. I feel so grateful for these memories.

Josie with her nephew and nieces - Christmas 2011

Josie's final few months were spent at St Julia's Hospice in Hayle. She was provided with her own room, round the clock care and a team of nurses and doctors with whom she formed firm, trusting relationships. The staff would trick or treat her room at Halloween and came carolling at Christmas. She was made to feel as comfortable as possible, for the hospice to be as homely as it could be, and she knew that she was surrounded by people who cared deeply for her.

Josie passed away on 28th December 2011 aged just 21.


In her final few hours, as my family and I sat with her while she slowly passed away, we were all treated with the utmost dignity and privacy. We were given time to say goodbye without unneccesary interruptions, space to grieve and support when we needed it. For this I will be eternally grateful.



The work that Cornwall Hospice Care do is second to none. They touch the hearts of those suffering with horrific, destructive illnesses and those who they matter to the most.

Unfortunately, like so many amazing services, Cornwall Hospice Care do not receive funding. Instead, they must raise over £6.75 million per year in order to continue to care for those who need it most.

Me - jumping from a plane 10,000ft over the Cornish coast

On Saturday 8th September I jumped 10,000 feet from an aeroplane over Perranporth in Cornwall to try to raise money for CHC. Those who know me will testify that this probably wasn't the most amazing prospect to me, as I hate heights, I have a fear of flying and I had nightmares in the weeks leading up to this!! But I did it, and I hated every second, but to date I have raised just over £1,600!!



I am going to continue to raise money for Cornwall Hospice Care with a variety of findraising ventures over the coming months and years. I will be publicising these on my blog and also via my Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/In-Memory-of-Josie-Brooks-fundraising-for-Cornwall-Hospice-Care/291389120933189?ref=tn_tnmn

If you can show your support by making a small donation toward this most worthy cause then you will be making a difference to so many people.

To donate simply visit: http://www.justgiving.com/jumpforjosie2 and give whatever you can spare.

Thank you xxx



Josie and I - October 2008 xxx