Making Space charity worker to mark 40 years with skydive

Gaynor Chisnall, who is executive director of operations at Making Space, is raising vital funding for the charity, where she has worked for more than three decades.

Executive director of operations Gaynor Chisnall is taking up the challenge to mark 40 years of health & social care charity Making Space.

Throughout 2022, workers for the town centre-based social care charity are completing sponsored challenges to make its anniversary year a bumper opportunity for fundraising.

Gaynor's sponsored jump will take place on May 29 at in Cockerham, Lancashire, and the act will see her leap from a plane at a height of three miles and be in freefall for a full 60 seconds.

She said: “I am really nervous, but also looking forward to the skydive. It is a big challenge for me.

“I love flying, especially take-off and landing, but I never imagined I would be jumping out of a plane.

“All the people we support and our staff have been through so much in the past two years, but they have shown strength, togetherness and kindness throughout.

Gaynor Chisnall will be completing a skydive for Making Space charity

“As we are now in the charity’s 40th year, I want to do something to raise vital funds as a thank you to them all.

“The money raised will support vital Making Space projects such as music groups for people living with dementia, gardening projects to help people with mental health conditions, and breaks to ensure carers enjoy vital days out from their caring responsibilities.

“I want to raise as much money as possible and will plummet thousands of feet through the air to do it.”

Gaynor is one of the longest standing team members at Making Space, which is based on Allen Street and supports thousands of people all over the UK.

She began her career with the charity on the frontline in 1990 as assistant manager at a Merseyside residential home for people living with mental health conditions, and she has been director of operations since 2005.

Making Space was established in 1982 in Warrington by David Lyne, a former development officer with the National Schizophrenia Fellowship, to help people with mental health conditions and their carers.

The charity now also supports people living with dementia and adults with learning disabilities.

Gaynor aims to raise £500, and you can sponsor her via fundraising.makingspace.co.uk/fundraising/gaynorskydive