Formby's longest-serving GP hands over £6,000 to cancer unit

Photo: Stuart Keppie (representing Hemby Trust), Tony Tammadge, Rachel Tammadge, Dr Louise Jones, Tim Tammadge, Gill Amos (from Aintree Head and Neck Cancer Unit), and Stewart Eden (manager of Chapel Lane Surgery) Pic by: Dan Wallis

Dr Louise Jones completed a parachute jump to celebrate her retirement and to raise cash for Aintree Head and Neck Cancer unit

Formby's longest-serving G.P has handed over £6,000 to the Aintree Head and Neck cancer unit after her husband was diagnosed with tounge cancer.

Dr Louise Jones, 57, worked for Chapel Street Surgery in Formby for 29 years but, as a result of her husband, Tony Tammadge, being diagnosed with tongue cancer, she decided to retire early.

Alongside her two children, 18-year-old Tim and 20-year-old Rachel, Dr Jones did a sponsored parachute jump in aid of Aintree Head and Neck Cancer Unit after receiving ‘outstanding’ treatment and support.

The family took to the sky on February 28, despite very unpromising grey misty weather and a tense, cold, five hour wait.

Dr Jones handed £6,012 to Gill Amos from the Aintree unit on Monday at Chapel Lane Surgery.

The Hemby Trust also donated £1,000 to Dr Jones's fund.

Stuart Keppie, Board Member Hemby Trust, said: “The Hemby Trust is a charitable trust established in 1998 specifically to give grants to charitable organisations in Merseyside and Wirral. In this time we have distributed in excess of £1.7 million to over 1,000 charitable organisations.

"We are delighted to be supporting such a worthy cause and feel that the efforts of Dr Louise Jones deserves specials recognition”

Dr Jones said: " I wanted to do something special for my retirement and really make a celebration of the event so I thought I would combine it for funds towards the Head and Neck Unit to show our appreciation for their support.

“It’s such an exciting thing to do and it caught all of our attention.

"The winds were stronger than expected but we still managed the 11,000 feet high jump. It was hugely exhilarating, the biggest challenge was trying to breathe in such strong winds.

"We got blown off course, to land in a quagmire and scramble over barbed wire carrying the shute, before safe return to base.

"A hot bath and celebratory glass of wine was very much needed and appreciated after a long day."

Dr Jones said: " I wanted to do something special for my retirement and really make a celebration of the event so I thought I would combine it for funds towards the Head and Neck Unit to show our appreciation for their support.

“It’s such an exciting thing to do and it caught all of our attention.

"The winds were stronger than expected but we still managed the 11,000 feet high jump. It was hugely exhilarating, the biggest challenge was trying to breathe in such strong winds.

"We got blown off course, to land in a quagmire and scramble over barbed wire carrying the shute, before safe return to base.

"A hot bath and celebratory glass of wine was very much needed and appreciated after a long day."

Story and Photo Source: Southport Visiter