Skydive In Honour Of Absent Friends
Team Westwood Drop From The Sky To Raise Funds For Charity
On Saturday August 2nd 2025, four members of Team Westwood quite literally rose to the challenge of jumping out of a plane at 15,000 ft. This daring, white knuckle adventure came as a result of our Head Technician wanting to pay tribute to two dear colleagues who we sadly lost earlier in the year. What happened next, took courage, commitment and maybe a little peer pressure!
At Westwood, we were devastated to lose two much loved colleagues in early 2025. Colin Elrick, who has worked alongside us for many years via Anglo Scottish Finance, an indefatigable campaigner helping new and growing businesses obtain the finance in order to drive the vehicles they needed to thrive. Where other companies said no, Colin found a way. Not only that, he was very much a part of the team here at Westwood. He’d organised parties and gatherings as well as making sure our kitchen was always stocked up with treats. A larger than life character with a heart of gold.
Similarly, our very own Michael Brannon, sadly succumbed to Cancer a little later in the year. Know to us simply as Mick, he was a longstanding, reliable and popular member of our Logistics Team. Mick could always be relied upon to travel the length and breadth of the country transporting our vehicles between our branches and wherever else they needed delivering to, or collecting from. Often this involved early starts and long days away from home, but he steadfastly accomplished all that was asked of him with his trademark quiet stoicism. Quietly spoken and with a gentle nature, Mick nonetheless had a terrific sense of humour and a terrific smile which lit up the room.
Kieron’s Tribute Took Off – Literally
Kieron’s idea was a simple one. To gather some ‘willing’ members of Team Westwood and take part in a skydive in Colin and Mick’s honour. Kieron managed to corale three others to join his endeavour: Our Finance Director Laura Edwards, Our Marketing Manager Chris Ellison and our Sales Executive Jack Cowan.
Before anyone had time to think too hard or back out, deposits were paid and at that point, while technically anyone could have pulled out, no-one did!
Closer to the big day, we arranged for some commemorative t-shirts to be printed and set up a Go Fund Me page to raise funds for MacMillan Cancer Support.
And WOW, did THAT take off! Within 24 hours, there was over £2,000 in donations – if anyone was thinking of backing out, it was THAT figure which committed us to follow through.
The Day of The Skydive
On the Saturday, our team made their way to the Black Knights Skydiving Centre in Cockerham. A glorious sunny day, perfect for jumping out of a plane! Our skydiving squad arrived at the centre in plenty of time, accompanied by families and friends and were blown away by how many others came to support from Team Westwood. We were honoured to be joined by Mick’s Daughter Sam, his Granddaughter Molly, as well as some of Colin’s colleagues from Anglo Scottish Finance, who’d travelled all the way from Newcastle.
Our four had chance to see other skydivers go up and come down while waiting for their turn to be called. When the time came, they were whisked away for some training and to gear up.
Having had their brief, met their videographers and signed their waivers *gulp* – it was go time! Time for the long walk to the plane, for settling in and for beginning the ascent. It was noisy, spartan and a bit snug inside but that served to drown out any nerves anyone might have been feeling!
At 15,000 feet – 3 miles up, the door was opened, a rush of cold air entered the cabin and all of a sudden there was no barrier between the plane and the drop.
So, who took the plunge and how did they fare? We’ll let the videos and photo’s below tell the story…… in the order of descent!
Chris Ellison – Skydive
Laura Edwards – Skydive
Kieron Hough – Skydive
Jack Cowan – Skydive
Happy Landings To Team Westwood’s Skydivers!
As you can see above, all four of our intrepid daredevils made it out of the plane before it came in to land and more importantly, landed safely and full of adrenaline!
The day was an absolute triumph in terms of the weather, the experience, the conquering of mind over matter, courage over fear and a fitting tribute to both Colin and Mick. One of our team members in attendance; Cathy, that she observed two butterflies flitting from the plane to the spectators area and back while our team were onthe way to the plane. Infer from that what you will, we were delighted to honour our absent colleagues with a worthy accomplishment in their names.
At the time of typing, the figure on the Go Fund Me page has far exceeded £3,500 and nearly 100 people have chosen to dig deep and sponsor our giant leap, in support of MacMillan Cancer Support. For those who’ve donated, our heartfelt thanks and if you’re inspired to join in, the page is still open, so please consider clicking the link below.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/four-members-of-team-westwood-are-going-up-in-the-world
Thanks for your support, thanks to all the people who joined us on the day, thanks as well to the Black Knights team who looked after our skydivers so brilliantly and brought them back to Earth safely.
