Dorchester dad's daredevil dive for daughter (From Dorset Echo)

Dorchester dad's daredevil dive for daughter

3:00pm Saturday 20th March 2010 in

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A DARING dad took a leap of faith to thank hospital staff who looked after his daughter when she was struck down by a virus.

Laurence Davis, known as Flo to his friends, hopes to have raised around £500 for Dorset County Hospital after plummeting 15,000ft from a plane.

The Dorchester dad, 30, opted to do the jump after his daughter Darcy, one, was treated at the hospital’s Kingfisher Ward.

He did the skydive at Dunkeswell Airfield near Honiton, supported by his wife Lara, 37.

Laurence, who works for a building restoration company, said: “It was breathtaking. We jumped from 15,000 feet and were going at 120mph.

“It was really noisy but brilliant. The adrenaline was really going but it was all good.

“The weather was fantastic and the visibility was really good.

“You could see both sides of the Devon coast and it was a really good descent.”

All of the Davis family, Molly, 19, Lily, 17, Nancy, eight, and Darcy got behind Laurence to support him for his second sky dive. He did one in Australia 10 years ago.

Lara said she and her husband chose to show their appreciation to hospital staff after a frightening night when Darcy had a virus and had become very dehydrated.

She added: “We are lucky we live so close to the hospital.

“The staff are so comforting when you are a parent – to have people so competent looking after you puts your mind at ease.

“We’d like to thank all our wonderful supporting sponsors, kind family and friends and all of Flo’s work colleagues at St Blaise.

Laurence added: “I’ve raised about £400 so far but hope to reach £500. I’m still accepting donations.”

He can be sponsored by contacting Dorset County Hospital on 01305 255419 or through online donations at www.dch.org.uk and going to the fundraising section.