Pat & Sue work with heart dad Dan Tansey at the Co-op. After hearing Dan’s story and seeing his passion for raising funds for CHSF in 2025, they felt inspired to get involved too!
Wanting to show their support, they decided to take to the skies and brave a skydive…
Pat said:
“We were inspired by Dan’s story on our work internal chat and initially planned to join him on the group dive later in the year. However due to Sue’s impending knee surgery, we had to move the date forward.
“When we started to finalise plans for the dives our younger colleagues became less enthusiastic about the prospect of throwing themselves out of an aircraft at 15,000ft!
“That left the two ‘oldies’ being the only ones still up for the challenge. We fondly called ourselves the ’69’ers’ as both of us enter our 7th decade this year.
“Congenital heart disease has also affected my own family. Two nephews and three great nephews/nieces all required surgery, so I have witnessed the feelings of hope, resilience, fear and sense of helplessness that accompany their journey to wellbeing. My oldest nephew is now 50, running marathons and other such foolish things, having undergone surgery aged 18 months at GOSH. Back then, that was the youngest they were prepared to perform an operation that is now so ‘routine’.
“We both applaud the work that Children’s Heart Surgery Fund are doing to help families through such a difficult time and were more than happy to step outside our comfort zone (literally!) to support you.
“We are both blown away by the generosity of our family, friends, colleagues, customers and local businesses helping us to raise over £3,200!”
Thank you so much, Pat & Sue, from all of us at CHSF! Your support means the world to families facing congenital heart disease in our region. #BecauseOfYou
Feeling inspired to take to the skies for CHSF?
Book your place in a charity skydive today and raise vital funds for our world-class heart unit, it’s patients and their families.
Skydive
About SkydiveVarious dates available (Skydive season is usually from April to October) The 15,000ft skydive at Hibaldstow Airfield is one of the highest tandem jumps available in the UK, offering an adrenaline-pumping freefall experience for over a full minute before...
Have a GRAND 2026
Raise £1,000 your way this year for CHSFRaise £1,000 for CHSF in 2026 Kickstart 2026 with a challenge with purpose where every penny you raise will go towards supporting our heart unit, patients and their families. Do it on your own or with family and friends by...
Great North Run
About Great North RunSunday 13th September 2026 The Great North Run is the world’s largest half marathon, held annually in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, attracting over 57,000 runners. The 13.1-mile route takes participants from the city center, across the iconic Tyne...



