‘I felt incredible’: Leighton Buzzard woman completes skydive for hospital after brother's open heart surgery
A Leighton Buzzard woman said she ‘felt incredible’ after completing a tandem skydive to raise money for a hospital that completed open heart surgery on her brother.
Claire Edmonds, who lives in Billington Park, raised £715 for Southampton General Hospital, after undertaking the challenge at Sibson Airfield in Cambridgeshire.
Claire was inspired to ‘face a fear’ after seeing how the hospital helped her brother Luke, who was born with Down’s Syndrome and two holes in his heart.
Luke had his first open heart surgery at a few months old and was fitted with a pacemaker.
Claire explained that he became unwell early last year, telling the LBO: “In June 2025 Luke needed to undergo open heart surgery to repair a new hole.
“Because of where the hole was, Southampton Hospital were the only hospital that had a surgeon willing to complete the operation.
“He had open heart surgery in June 2026 and has made a full recovery. If he didn’t have the operation his life span would have been limited.”
Claire said the skydive was her way of giving something back to the hospital, adding: “The team at Southampton Hospital were incredible - the nurses were so lovely and regularly checked in with us, keeping my parents up to date with everything they were doing.
“This skydive was my way of saying thank you and giving something back, so that other patients and their families can continue to receive the same incredible care and support that meant so much to us.”
Claire was joined at Sibson Airfield by her husband, two children and best friend who came to support her through the skydive.
She reflected: “On the day I felt nervous but very excited.
“Once we got to the airfield, reality/adrenaline hit me and a buzz took over because I knew I was doing this for my brother.
“I can’t quite explain the feeling when you’re sat on the edge of a plane but once we took the plunge I felt incredible. I would absolutely do it all again!”