Telford MP Shaun Davies has taken a leap from a plane as part of a fundraising challenge that has raised almost £16,000 for the Lingen Davies Sunflower Appeal.
Shaun organised the charity skydive and invited a team of fellow fundraisers to join him. Megan Wright, Rajinder Kaur Sahota, Kayleigh Parsons and Samantha Hoofe all took the plunge alongside him on Sunday 13th September, with Helen Walker completing her jump in a few weeks’ time.
All fundraising is going towards helping to bring the charity closer to its £5 million target to fund a new Lingen Davies Cancer Centre at Telford’s Princess Royal Hospital.
For Shaun, the challenge was a chance to step well outside his comfort zone for a cause close to his heart. He said: “This skydive was by far the most terrifying thing I’ve ever done, but I was determined to step outside my comfort zone for such an important cause. I’m committed to supporting the Sunflower Appeal for as long as it takes to reach its £5 million fundraising target. This new cancer centre will be life-changing for local patients, reducing the need to travel long distances for treatment and allowing more people to receive care closer to home.
“I know from my own family’s experience, particularly through my nan Betty’s cancer treatment, just how difficult those journeys can be. That’s why I’m proud to support this appeal and everyone working so hard to make the new centre a reality.
“I also want to say a huge thank you to Megan, Rajinder, Kayleigh and Samantha for joining me and Helen, who will be completing her challenge very soon. Thank you all for stepping forward, taking on the challenge and helping us raise even more money for this fantastic cause.
“Most importantly, thank you to every Telford resident and every business who has donated and supported the appeal. Every contribution brings us closer to making this new cancer centre a reality for our town.”
Naomi Atkin, CEO of Lingen Davies Cancer Support, thanked Shaun and everyone who took part in the challenge. She said: “A tremendous thank you to Shaun for putting himself on the line and taking on a skydive for Lingen Davies.
“As a community-based charity, we need to raise a significant sum to deliver the Lingen Davies Cancer Centre at Princess Royal Hospital by 2029. The new facility will ensure people living in and around Telford can access the care and treatment they need closer to home, greatly reducing the impact of travel times and costs.
“We are incredibly grateful to Shaun for his continued support and for bringing the local community together behind the appeal. The money raised through his fundraising activities will make a real difference to people living with and beyond a cancer diagnosis.
“I am always in awe of people who take on challenge events for us, and Shaun and his fellow skydivers certainly stepped outside their comfort zones.
“Thank you again to Shaun, his supporters and everyone in our community who continues to back our £5 million appeal.”
The skydive is the latest in a series of fundraising efforts by Shaun in support of the Sunflower Appeal. Since May 2026, Telford’s MP has raised more than £20,000 for Lingen Davies through a combination of charity raffles, a World Cup business sweepstake and the skydive.
The £5 million Sunflower Appeal will fund a new Lingen Davies Cancer Centre at Princess Royal Hospital, providing improved cancer services and helping more local people access treatment and support closer to home.
