A 21-year-old nursery assistant from Powys is finally taking to the skies - two years later than planned - in memory of her cousins Casey and Kelly Breese, and their dad Nick. 

Ffion Jones has nearly reached her £10,000 target to raise funds for two charities, close to her heart – the Wales Air Ambulance and Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, in Liverpool.

As well as donations from friends and family, Ffion has arranged quiz nights, a cocktail afternoon, cake stalls, charity bag packing and fancy dress at work with the children.

In 2011, twelve-year-old Casey Breese died when a goal post fell on top of him when he was playing with friends.

Just two years after Casey’s death, the family tragically lost his 18-year-old sister, Kelly, when the car she was driving crashed into a tree. Two years ago saw the family suffer more heartache following the sudden death of Casey and Kelly’s father, Nick.

From a young age, Ffion from Caersws, was keen to do a skydive but wanted to have a reason for it. She said: “The Wales Air Ambulance is a charity that has always been close to me and my family. My cousin was involved in a tragic accident where a goal post fell and crushed him underneath it. The Wales Air Ambulance was called out and they airlifted him to the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, but unfortunately, he passed away shortly after arrival. I felt that it was important to give back and therefore I want to raise as much money for the Wales Air Ambulance as I can.” 

“This was unbearable news to hear for us all as a family, as well as their friends. They will all be extremely missed and forever in our hearts.” added Ffion.

As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, Ffion, who was due to do the skydive in 2020 and last year, has re-scheduled it to take place at Swansea Airport on Sunday, 15 May.

Determined Ffion is delighted to have so far raised £9,500, she said: “Fingers crossed third time lucky my skydive will now take place. I am super excited about doing the skydive, and at the moment I’m not nervous. My family and friends think that I am absolutely crazy for doing it. One family member said ‘never in a million years’ would they do a skydive.

“I have raised around £9,500 and would love to reach my new target on £10,000.”

Ffion is also raising funds for Alder Hey Children’s Hospital after the hospital saved her close friend Willow’s life.

Ffion added: “The skydive is in memory of my two gorgeous cousins, my uncle and also my close friend Willow. I will be doing a skydive to raise money for the Wales Air Ambulance as it is a charity close to my heart. I will also be raising money for the Alder Hey children’s hospital in Liverpool for saving Willow’s life.”

Wales Air Ambulance offers advanced critical care and is often described as a ‘Flying ED’. The on-board consultants and critical care practitioners are highly skilled and carry some of the most pioneering medical equipment in the world. They can deliver blood transfusions, administer anaesthesia, and undertake emergency operations at the scene of the incident, before flying the patient directly to specialist care.

Now operational 24/7, the Charity needs to raise £8 million every year to keep the helicopters flying.

Dougie Bancroft, Community Fundraiser for Wales Air Ambulance said: “Ffion is finally having the opportunity to take to skies in aid of in of two important charities close to her heart. Despite the heartache the family has suffered, Ffion has taken it upon herself to jump out of a plane in memory of her cousins’ and uncle to raise money for charity. What a lovely tribute to remember her loved ones by.

“Thank you to everyone who to everyone who has donated to Ffion’s fundraiser – and a huge thank you to Ffion. Your support of our lifesaving charity is much appreciated, you’ve raised an incredible amount of money for the Wales Air Ambulance, and you should be very proud of yourself. Fundraisers like Ffion’s will help us to continue to be there for the people of Wales when they need us the most. Good luck, Ffion. We hope you enjoy the skydive.”

You can show your support to Ffion by sponsoring her via her Go Fund Me page.