A father and uncle took a literal leap of faith on Friday 13th June by skydiving 15,000 feet to raise funds for the hospital that helped keep their family afloat during the most difficult time of their lives.
Chris Kearey and his brother Nick jumped in honour of Chris’s daughter, Mabel, who has spent much of her young life in and out of the Royal Berkshire Hospital since her birth in April 2022. The skydive – originally suggested by Nick – aims to raise £1,000 in support of the Lion and Dolphin Wards, which played a critical role in Mabel’s care.
“We had never imagined our little girl would spend so much of her life in hospital,” said Mabel’s mum, Hayley.
Diagnosed at three months old with Dysphagia, a condition that makes swallowing extremely difficult, Mabel’s journey has included multiple ward transfers, exploratory surgeries, and long hospital stays. For nearly three years, she has relied on a nasal gastric tube and the unwavering support of her medical team. “There were nights I sat crying, scared out of my mind,” said Hayley. “And a nurse—always a nurse—would just sit beside me, hug me at 3 a.m., and help me feel less alone.” One nurse in particular, Sonia, became a constant source of comfort. “She never judged—just listened.”
To thank the staff who became like family, Chris and Nick decided to take on a fundraising challenge that pushed them far out of their comfort zone – especially for Nick, who’s afraid of heights.
“This is so much bigger than a fear of flying,” said Hayley. “This is about giving back to the hospital that held our family together.”
Supporters can still contribute to their fundraiser by visiting:👉 https://www.justgiving.com/page/hayley-kearey-1
All donations will directly support Lion and Dolphin Wards, helping to enhance care for children like Mabel across Royal Berkshire Hospital.
For more on Mabel’s story, visit: 👉 https://www.royalberkscharity.co.uk/skydiveformabel/
