11 May 2026 Community

The Kirkwood nurse trio taking fundraising to new heights with daring skydive challenge

Three dedicated nurses from The Kirkwood are preparing to take the ultimate leap later this year as they swap the hospice floor for the skies, all in aid of raising vital funds for the charity they are so proud to serve.

Annabelle Favell-Potter, Leanne Hall and Amy Coverdale are joining forces for an unforgettable 15,000 foot skydive, with a shared mission of raising at least £1,000 to support The Kirkwood’s specialist care across Kirklees. 

United by friendship, teamwork and a deep passion for the hospice, the trio are pushing themselves far beyond their comfort zones to give back to a cause that means so much to them both professionally and personally.

Annabelle Favell-Potter, an Auxiliary Nurse at The Kirkwood, said: “I have worked as a Health Care Assistant at The Kirkwood for almost two and a half years. I applied for the position because I wanted to work for an organisation where high standards and quality care is intrinsic to its work ethic. This is what The Kirkwood embodies.

“The skydive is an exciting opportunity to raise money for such a worthy cause. There was also an element of peer pressure, Amy is great at setting me competitive challenges!!

“There is a lot of fun and excitement about being part of our skydive team. It is good to be taking on the challenge with friends, but there is also an element of fear. I am trying not to think too deeply about the 15,000 feet! We have an aim of raising £1000 and would be delighted to achieve this if we could.

“At a time when the people of Kirklees needs are greater than ever, they deserve access to high quality care. The Kirkwood has a pivotal role in promoting this for both those being treated as an inpatient and also out in the community, easing the burden when families are facing the most challenging of times. Care delivery by The Kirkwood is crucial in promoting comfort, dignity and quality of life.

“I am proud to be part of a team working with the common aim of helping patients and their families to live as fully and as well as possible. It is rewarding and a privilege to have such a positive impact in this way.”

For fellow Auxiliary Nurse Leanne Hall, the challenge is not only about fundraising, but also deeply personal, inspired by the care her own family received. Leanne said: “I’ve been working at The Kirkwood for just short of five years as an auxiliary nurse. During that time, I’ve supported patients with their day-to-day care, focusing on comfort, dignity, and emotional support for both patients and their families. What I really value about working here is the team and the environment we all work closely together to provide the best possible care, and it’s very rewarding to know you’re making a difference in people’s lives at such an important and difficult time I absolutely love my job and feel incredibly lucky to work for The Kirkwood.

“I want to take on the skydive for The Kirkwood because they looked after my mum (Susan) for the last 18 months of her life in the community. It’s my way of giving back and saying thank you for the incredible care and support they gave her and our family when we needed it most.

“I feel okay about skydiving at the moment. I’ve done one before at 10,000 feet, but it was 10 years ago and I was a lot younger and less aware of the fear. This one at 15,000 feet feels like a bigger step, but I’m doing it for my mum, and having my family and friends there makes a big difference. I think I’ll be nervous on the day and hopefully excited.

“I think The Kirkwood is extremely important to the Kirklees community. It provides high quality, compassionate care for anyone with a life limited disease supporting not just patients but also their families emotionally and practically during very difficult times which me and my family experience first hand.

“What I love most about my role as an auxiliary nurse with The Kirkwood is being able to make a real difference to people during one of the most difficult times in their lives. Whether it’s providing comfort to patients or supporting their families, even the smallest acts of care can mean so much.

“I also value being part of a compassionate and supportive team. Everyone works together to ensure patients are treated with dignity and respect, and that creates a really special environment to be part of.

Amy Coverdale, now a Staff Nurse after first joining The Kirkwood as a student nurse, says the skydive is a challenge she has always wanted to conquer. Amy said: “I was first introduced to The Kirkwood at the end of 2022 while working as a student nurse. From the very beginning, I was inspired by the compassionate care and dedication of the team, which led me to apply for a role as a Bank Auxiliary Nurse. After spending just over a year in that position, I am proud to now be a Staff Nurse with The Kirkwood, a role I have held for the past year and a half. It has been an incredibly rewarding journey, and I feel fortunate to be part of such a supportive and inspiring organisation.

“I’m taking part in a skydive to raise money for the amazing charity I’m proud to work for. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do, and now I finally have the courage to take the leap, knowing it’s all in support of The Kirkwood. Every donation will help support the incredible care and compassion the team provides every day, making this challenge even more meaningful.

“I’m feeling a mix of nerves and excitement as the skydive approaches! I’m trying not to focus too much on the 15,000 feet we’ll be jumping from, and instead keep my mind on the positive impact this will have for The Kirkwood. Knowing that this challenge will help support such an incredible organisation makes every moment of it worthwhile.

“Annabelle, Leanne, and I have set up a shared JustGiving page for our skydive challenge. Our initial goal is to raise £1,000, but we’re really hoping to go above and beyond that target. Every donation, no matter the size, will make a meaningful difference.

“The Kirkwood plays an incredibly important role within the Kirklees community. Every day, more people are diagnosed with terminal illnesses, and the support they receive can make a profound difference. The Kirkwood provides vital care through expert symptom management, as well as emotional support for both patients and their families, helping them navigate some of life’s most challenging moments with compassion and dignity.

“What I love most about being a nurse with The Kirkwood is the opportunity to provide genuine care and compassion to patients every day. That can take many forms, from supporting people through difficult conversations to the simple comfort of making someone a cup of tea in the morning. It’s often the smallest acts of kindness that can make the biggest difference.

“Please visit our JustGiving page and donate to support The Kirkwood. The care and support they provide to patients and families is truly invaluable and often difficult to fully put into words. I see first hand the incredible impact The Kirkwood has, and that’s exactly why I’m taking the leap and jumping out of a plane to support it. Every donation, no matter how small, makes a real difference. Thank you so much for your support.”

If you would like to support Annabelle, Leanne and Amy’s incredible skydive challenge and help them raise vital funds for The Kirkwood, you can donate by clicking HERE.

What about taking on your own Skydive? Why not click the link HERE!