Crossgar woman’s skydive in memory of beloved husband

Crossgar woman’s skydive in memory of beloved husband

13 March 2019

FORMER Crossgar woman Sandra Robinson is taking on a very special skydive challenge to honour the memory of her late husband.

The 66 year-old breast cancer survivor is also determined to raise money for Kidney Care UK and the NI Kidney Patients Association.

Sandra’s husband Jim, who was affectionately known as Jimbo, sadly passed away four years ago after being a long-term kidney dialysis patient at the Ulster Hospital and Belfast City Hospital. 

He would have celebrated his 75th birthday next month.

“I wanted to do something very special to mark what would have been Jim’s 75th birthday,” says Sandra, who now lives in the Belvoir area of Belfast.  

“I also wanted to raise much-needed funds to support kidney patients because I know through Jim’s experience of needing kidney dialysis just how important it is to directly support renal patients to live comfortable and healthy lives.  

“It’s so often the little things that people take for granted which make the most difference and that’s where these two charities both come in.”

Sandra isn’t daunted by the idea of the tandem skydive on May 25 at the Wild Geese centre in Coleraine.

“I just don’t think about myself, I think about Jim and that makes it all OK. I know who I’m doing it for,” she said.

Jim and Sandra were married for 20 years and throughout that time they looked after and supported each other through constant acts of kindness and love. 

That’s why to Sandra this is a real “leap of love in Jim’s memory”.

Sandra added: “Sadly Jim never received a kidney transplant but he never grumbled about receiving his dialysis treatment. He was a model patient and was loved by all those who cared so well for him. He really took everything in life in his stride. 

“Jim was a wonderful man and I know he would be so supportive of me raising awareness of organ donation by taking on this challenge.”

Kidney Care UK Northern Ireland Ambassador Jo-Anne Dobson praised Sandra for her “amazing courage and selfless gesture.”

A kidney donor herself to her son, Jo-Anne said: “This is such an emotional challenge for Sandra, she is simply amazing. It really is a love story made in Belfast.

“I’ve had the privilege of meeting and chatting with her on a number of occasions and the love which she holds for her beloved Jim is so strong and comes across to everyone she meets.

“Her selfless generosity will not only be a lasting memory for Jim but will touch the lives of kidney patients and their families right across Northern Ireland.”

To support Sandra in her skydive challenge, donate via her Just Giving page at www.justgiving.com/

fundraising/skydivesandra or by contributing directly at various locations, including Magee’s Bar in Crossgar and DW Sports Fitness in Shawsbridge Belfast.