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A Kent businessman is going much more than an extra mile for one of his employees after committing to a 10,000 ft skydive that will hopefully give a couple the chance to realise their dream of having a baby.
Paul Blake, the managing director of Bang and Olufsen in South East England, will be completing the jump on Wednesday to raise funds for Ryno Glen, his Tunbridge Wells store manager, and his fiancée Amanda Bunce, in a bid to help them achieve a happy ending in their heart-breaking quest to become parents.
The 52-year-old promised to step out of a plane at nearly two miles high after seeing first-hand what Mr Glen, from Mount Ephriam, and his partner, a children’s nurse, have endured in their challenging journey to have a family.
There have been three miscarriages, the frustration of unexplained infertility, and, in 2019, the devastating blow that Miss Bunce had cancer of her womb.
To save her life, she underwent a complete hysterectomy, bilateral oophorectomy, and removal of pelvic lymph-nodes.
Mr Glen's health has suffered too, the stress triggering a bout of epilepsy that he hadn’t experienced for 28 years.
With Miss Bunce now unable to carry or conceive her own child, her sister has volunteered to become a surrogate mum for the couple, but they have discovered that the IVF treatment is not available for them the NHS and they must raise £24,000 to pay for it privately.
Mr Blake has set himself the target of raising £10,000 to help them on their way.
He said: "I Just feel so sorry for them, especially Amanda. She's a lovely lady who longs to have kids and works with children every day - but can't have any of her own."
He said: "Ryno and Amanda are a lovely, hard working couple who really deserve some luck and happiness."
Mr Blake owns the Beoshop Group, which has Bang and Olufsen stores in Tunbridge Wells, Maidstone, Bexleyheath and Cambridge.
He said: "I've never done a skydive before. I'm not too nervous yet, but expect I will be by Wednesday!"
His jump with North London SkyDiving will take just 30 seconds to reach earth, and he will be travelling at up to 120mph.
He said: "Truth be told, Ryno’s probably wanted to throw me out of a plane many a time when we’ve been at work, but it’s my privilege to do it for him, if it helps him and Amanda achieve their dream."
Mr Glen has worked for the firm for nine years and was certainly surprised when he heard of his boss’s intention.
He said: "I’m used to Paul having the odd questionable idea, but I was taken aback when he said he was going to do the jump.
"Amanda and I will certainly be there to give him encouragement!"
He added: "We’re so thankful for all the support that we’ve had from our friends and family. They’ve really helped give us the strength not to give up."
Anyone able to help with the fund-raising can donate via Mr Blake's JustGiving page here .
