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Freefalling fundraiser raises £1,600 for Breast Cancer Haven

L-R: Elysa Cooper, Breast Cancer Haven Events Fundraising Officer & Howard Tyers , NXWM driver

A National Express West Midlands bus driver who completed a freefall skydive has raised £1,600 for the local Breast Cancer Haven centre in Solihull.

48-year-old Howard Tyers has been a bus driver with National Express West Midlands for 15 years. He signed up for a skydive to help raise funds and play his part in supporting Breast Cancer Haven West Midlands.

Based on St Bernard’s Road the centre provides a programme of support to anyone going through the personal challenges of being diagnosed with or living with breast cancer.

Having completed the thrilling challenge at Hinton Airfield in Brackley, brave Howard raised an incredible £1,600, including £150 donated by the National Express Employee Charity Panel, which supports UK employees in their own charitable or voluntary work.

Elysa Cooper, Events Fundraising Officer at Breast Cancer Haven West Midlands, said: “Since opening our welcoming centre on St Bernard’s Road in October 2017, we have supported over 800 women, men and their families, offering over 4,000 hours of complementary therapies to help ease the physical and emotional side effects of breast cancer diagnosis and treatment.

“We’re all so grateful to Howard for facing his own fears and raising such a fantastic amount in the process. Fundraising superstars like Howard play a massive part in helping the centre to raise the vital funds that we need to ensure our services can continue to help those affected by breast cancer in the West Midlands.”

National Express West Midlands bus driver Howard Tyers said: “I actually don’t like flying but in a moment of madness I thought that completing a 12,000ft skydive would be the chance of a lifetime – and a great opportunity for me to face my fears while raising funds for Breast Cancer Haven.

“Having visited the Solihull centre several times myself I have seen how vital it is for those in need. The team do some fantastic work to encourage and support those affected by breast cancer so I just wanted to help them continue their great work in the community.”

For further information about Breast Cancer Haven please visit: www.breastcancerhaven.org.uk.

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