A BASINGSTOKE insurance broker has jumped out of a plane to raise money for a cancer charity.

Stephen Grinham, who works for Daneshill-based Finch Group, took on the 15,000 foot sky dive near Salisbury earlier this month, raising £2,170 for The Pink Place.

The cancer charity offers free wellbeing support to adults affected by cancer in the Basingstoke and Tadley area.

The insurance group held an annual Go Green Day for charity, with account technician Stephen proposing The Pink Place as the benefactor of their fundraising efforts

To help with the request for donations and to encourage sponsorship, Stephen announced that he would also do a Sky Dive to boost the fundraising.

“As soon as I learnt about The Pink Place, I wanted to offer some support for this fantastic charity and I can’t think of a better way than jumping out of an aeroplane!" he said.

“With support from my colleagues at Finch Group, we have raised £2,170 to ensure the charity can continue to provide support to men and women with a cancer diagnosis. This support is needed now more than ever."

“The generosity of the employees and directors of Finch Group has totally astounded us, and we are so grateful for the truly amazing amount of money they have raised for The Pink Place and The Blue Space. In addition, Stephen Grinham’s ‘bonkers’ idea to complete a 15,000ft Sky Dive to boost the donations further is amazing,” Christine Griffiths, fundraising and events manager at The Pink Place, said.

“This second lockdown means a further impact not only on the mental health and wellbeing of cancer patients but also disruption to their treatment. Worryingly the delay to those waiting for a cancer diagnosis, is causing unmeasurable anxiety and stress. I am very proud that our charity is able to offer such vital and much needed support during the coronavirus pandemic.”

In June 2010, The Pink Place was created for women with breast cancer. In September 2013, the Charity was open to all types of cancers. In September 2016, The Pink Place created The Blue Space dedicated to men affected by cancer.