A South Manchester pub manager has confronted his fear of heights by freefalling 15,000 feet in a skydive to raise £4,568 for Francis House Children’s Hospice.
Martin Devlin, general manager of the Fletcher Moss, has called Didsbury his home for more than three decades, and has managed the Hydes Brewery-owned pub for the past 14 years.
“I was on holiday lying on a beach and thinking I need to do something this year for Francis House. I looked to the sky and I thought, skydive,” says Martin.
“I’m scared of heights and abseiling down the tower at the Trafford Centre a few years ago was probably the scariest thing I have done. It just seems so unnatural to stand on the edge of a building and when they say, ‘lean back’, you just think that’s not right!”
Over the years, Martin, his customers, friends and family have raised approximately £30,000 for the hospice, including selling knitted chicks on the bar for the charity’s Easter appeal.
He added: “Everyone’s support has been wonderful because Francis House is a local charity and everybody loves that. I think that’s why the skydive has been so positive because people know the hospice. People have spoken to me about Francis House and how great it is for the area and for the people and kids that go there.”
