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79-year-old great-grandmother skydives for Velindre Cancer Centre

News | Rhys Williams | Published: 13:10, Thursday July 4th, 2019.

Caroline Cooper, 79, from Caerphilly, took part in a skydive to raise money for Velindre Cancer Centre

A 79-year-old great-grandmother has completed a skydive to raise money for Velindre Cancer Centre.

Caroline Cooper, who has been a volunteer at the centre in Cardiff for 20 years, dived 15,000ft over Swansea on Saturday, June 22.

Mrs Cooper, who is from Caerphilly, told BBC Wales: “It was absolutely fantastic. People said I’d never do it but that made me even more determined.”

Caroline Cooper during her charity skydive

Mrs Cooper began volunteering at Velindre after her husband died from cancer.

She said: “Over the years I have seen first hand the amazing work that they [Velindre] do.

“I have met and chatted to many patients and their families and part of my role is to meet and greet people as they enter the doors for the first time or while they are having treatment, often taking them along to the treatment room.

“I have heard many amazing stories and some very difficult ones but always hear praise for the hospital. Through my 79 years, I have lost many loved ones to this disease but have also seen many people fight it and beat it.”

When Mrs Cooper was seven-years-old, she lost her mother to breast cancer, leaving her father to bring her up on his own.

Mrs Cooper completed the skydive alongside her daughter’s niece, Lucy McMahon.

Before the skydive, Mrs Cooper had a pre-assessment at the skydiving centre in Swansea to prove that she was fit and well enough to take on the daring challenge.

Caroline Cooper, 79, from Caerphilly, took part in a skydive to raise money for Velindre Cancer Centre

Her grandson, Carl Cooper, said: “If you’ve ever been to Velindre Cancer Centre on a Monday over the last 20 years, you’ll have probably seen her welcoming, smiling face.

“She’s done it for all those who’ve gone through cancer – her sister, her daughter, her brother-in-law, family, friends and every person who has walked through those Velindre doors with this terrible disease.

“It’s her stand-up to cancer, for every person who has ever gone through it.”

To make a donation to Velindre, visit Mrs Cooper’s online fundraising page – www.justgiving.com/fundraising/caroline-cooper25.

Velindre
Velindre
Velindre

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