Brave hospital staff and community members faced their fears and took a leap of faith for the Forget-Me-Not Dementia Campaign.

A team of 25 took part in the inaugural West Suffolk Hospital Charity skydive to raise money for the appeal and other areas of the hospital.

They took to the skies at Beccles Airfield before jumping in a tandem skydive at 13,000ft.

To date, the skydivers who took on the challenge for the dementia campaign have already raised more than £2,500, with money still coming in.

One of them, Jessica Davies, 22, from Stowmarket, said she had no hesitation in doing her bit for the campaign.

Jessica, a dementia champion at the hospital, said: “The day was such an incredible experience and something I will never forget.

“It was an easy decision to make knowing that I was raising money for the Forget-Me-Not Dementia Campaign and that it will have a direct impact on enhancing the care we offer to patients with dementia.”

She was joined by fellow hospital dementia champions Lucy Kroon, Joanne Hayward and Lucy Whent, as well as dementia trainer Maggie Woodhouse.

Other staff members boosting the campaign total were Angie Manning, Elliot Stubbs and Jessica Pawson who also teamed up with Matthew Rawlings, Laura Bloomfield, Imma Parlato, Lee Warwick and Becky Nicholson.

In total, more than £7,000 has already been raised by the group, who also supported fundraising appeals to purchase a new bronchoscope for the hospital’s respiratory department and an arterial blood gas analyser for ward F10.

Participants, who were given the choice to raise money for any charitable fund within the hospital, are also supporting the dermatology department and ward G1.

Dave Gooderham, fundraising manager for the hospital, said: “For our first organised skydive, we couldn’t have asked for a better day – even the weather supported our efforts, staying dry in the morning.

“It was an amazing total raised and we would like to thank everyone who supported the 25 participants.”