A SKYDIVE from 10,000ft and dress-down Fridays are among events planned by staff at financial advisory firm Wealthcare to raise money for Bury Hospice.

Jo Flynn, aged 23, marketing executive and personal assistant to the directors at the Castlecroft Road firm in Bury, has registered for the skydive on Saturday, March 21, while cash will be collected from every employee taking part in dress-down Fridays each month.

A team from Wealthcare is also preparing to enter the 10k Great Manchester Run on Sunday, May 10.

Stephen Cainer, joint managing director, said: “Bury Hospice plays a vital role within the community and we’re delighted to select it as our first charity of the year. We hope our decision will encourage others to follow suit and become involved in the fundraising process. As Wealthcare grows, we feel it’s important to put something back into the community and share our success with a worthy cause that needs public support.”

As well as staff taking part in sponsored events, the company will host the Bury Hospice logo on its website and social media channels, which will carry updates about forthcoming hospice events. Wealthcare has also set up its own Virgin Money Giving page for the hospice nowe based on Rochdale Old Road.

Bury Hospice has 12 beds and costs £3 million a year to run, the equivalent of almost £8,000 per day. It receives 10 per cent of its funding from the NHS, with the rest generated by its five shops, a lottery, legacy, events, and individual and corporate donations.

Jacqui Comber, chief executive of Bury Hospice, said: “We are delighted that Wealthcare has selected Bury Hospice as its first charity of the year and we look forward to working with the team throughout 2015.

“Wealthcare's support in the form of fundraising events and promoting the work of the hospice will make a real difference."