The chief executive of North London Hospice will be taking part in a sponsored skydive next week to raise money for new services to care for terminally ill patients.

Douglas Bennett, of Crouch End, has worked at the hospice in Woodside Avenue for over 10 years and is preparing to plunge 10,000ft over the Oxford countryside on Sunday 30 September.

He said: “During my time at the hospice I have seen the difference the organisation makes at a really vulnerable time in people's lives.

“I receive many thank you letters and acknowledgements from patients and families of the fact that staff here go the extra mile.

“So what's a 10,000 feet leap from a plane compared to what staff at the hospice do every day?”

The hospice cares for terminally ill patients and their families in the boroughs of Barnet, Enfield and Haringey.

It has started new services, developed existing ones, increased the number of patients and most recently opened a new building in Enfield. 

Mr Bennett added: “All this costs money. What enables us to do what we do is the support we receive from many individuals.

“No gift is too small and everyone's help and involvement is important. So I thought I ought to do my bit.

“What better way than jumping out of a plane during a leap year!”

Mr Bennett is nearly half way to reaching his target of £3,000.

All funds donated will go directly to providing patient care at the hospice.

If you would like to support him please visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/DouglasBennett