Feb 20th 2013

Divisional manager turns dare devil to raise money for the new BMEC Clinical Research Facility

Jaki Mills, divisional general manager of the Birmingham Midland Eye Centre, will be confronting her fears by jumping 10,500ft out of a plane.

Despite suffering from vertigo Jaki will be doing a tandem skydive on Friday 22nd February.

She is asking people to sponsor her jump to raise money for the newly opened BMEC Clinical Research Facility.

Jaki said: “Although I’m nervous, the sky-dive is a great opportunity to overcome my fear of heights and help support all of the amazing work which goes on at the eye centre.”

All of the money raised will go towards purchasing highly specialised equipment that will support research to improve vision and reduce blindness.

Jaki said: “The donations will help provide better treatment for people who suffer with chronic eye conditions such as glaucoma, as well as those with rare illnesses such as Behçet’s syndrome.”

The Birmingham Midland Eye Centre is the second largest eye hospital in UK.

The new clinical research facility is committed to investigating a wide range of conditions and treatments to better serve the people of Sandwell, west Birmingham and further afield.

To sponsor Jaki and help support the Birmingham Midland Eye Centre you can visit her Just Giving page – http://www.justgiving.com/Jaki-Mills.

Jaki’s jump has also inspired BMEC’s divisional director Mr Ajai Tyagi to fulfil one of his lifelong ambitions to free fall.

He said: “Jaki’s ambition and bravery has rekindled my long standing ambition and I plan to start training to achieve my goal of performing a freefall.

“I wish Jaki an excellent day and look forward to seeing her safely back on the ground.”

If you would like to do something adventurous to raise money for the Birmingham Midland Eye Centre or Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust please contact the fundraising team on 0121 507 5196 or swbh.fundraising@nhs.net.