Abacus skydive boosts charity

Members of the senior management team from Abacus Wealth Services did the leap at skydiving centre Skydive Swansea last Saturday as part of a summer of activity to raise £20,000 in donations for Acorns Children’s Hospice.

They enjoyed the adrenaline rush so much they are already talking about doing it again.

Managing director Nigel Round and financial advisers Ben Dyas and Daniel Paton were motivated to undergo this year’s challenge as part of the campaign by Abacus to raise funds for Acorns. By the start of this week they had raised nearly two-thirds of the £20,000 summer target they set themselves, in addition to a £7,000 corporate donation made earlier this year.

The Abacus senior managers, who work from offices in Two Woods Lane, Brierley Hill, were strapped to trained instructors to complete the tandem skydives. Due to a late change of plan, Nigel’s son Michael Round, who is joining Abacus as a financial adviser, was unable to join this year’s skydive so the senior team are looking to go again next year with him to raise more money for charity.

Mr Round said the team were delighted to complete the skydive to help Acorns.

“We continue to be motivated by the bravery of the Acorns children, their families and the staff so completing the skydive was our way of contributing to a worthy cause.

“Working with Acorns this year has meant a great deal, as we know how much the Covid-19 pandemic has impacted upon their fundraising. Living and working in the Black Country we wanted to give back, so it was fantastic to be able to raise funds for such a deserving cause," he said.

Daniel Paton added: “The sky dive was a life affirming experience for an amazing charity and like nothing else I have done before. I would not have challenged myself to do a skydive without having learnt about the strength shown by the Acorns children and families. With Michael now planning to do his charity skydive next year, the senior management team enjoyed the experience so much we are already talking about doing it again with him.”

Ben Dyas said: “Having previously been nervous by heights, it was an amazing to complete the skydive. The team at Skydive Swansea were excellent, helping us along every stage. I have not done anything which has given such a buzz, so we are all proud to have helped Acorns along the way.”

Now the skydive is complete, Ben plans to follow it up with a 100-mile charity bike ride, to be undertaken with his 11-year-old son Noah. Dan and Nigel intend to join the father and son duo along the cycle route.

With three centres in operation, Acorns offers specialist palliative care for children and young people with life limiting and life-threatening conditions, while offering support for their families.

Abacus Wealth Services signed up as a 2021 corporate partner for Acorns, making the hospice charity their cause for fundraising. Abacus began the year with a £7,000 corporate donation, the equivalent of funding a full day of services, before launching their latest fundraising.

Vicki Rowles, Head of Fundraising at Acorns Children's Hospice, thanked the Abacus team for their ongoing support. She said: “We appreciate the lengths to which Abacus Wealth Services have gone to raise funds for Acorns. Without the support of businesses like Abacus and the senior management team as individuals, we would not be able to help the hundreds of families who rely on our services.

“Their generosity in giving back through fundraising and charity efforts helps us to be able to keep our doors open to young people and their loved ones when they need us most.” ace Wealth Management Group, will match every pound raised by Abacus Wealth Services for Acorns.

To find out how to donate to Abacus Skydive Challenge for Acorns, go to abacuswealthservices.co.uk/acorns-childrens-hospice/