Skydive in memory of bride-to-be who died weeks before her wedding

An Exeter resident is set to leap 10,000ft from a plane to honour her sister, who tragically passed away from a sudden cardiac arrest just weeks before her wedding day.

Gina Hunter-Marsden is raising funds for Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) in memory of her “loud, bubbly, bright” sister Katie Barons, who died in October 2022, aged just 28.

Katie had been preparing to marry her fiancé on 31 October 2022 and had recently celebrated her hen weekend. She had poured “so much love and attention” into planning the day, her sister says.

But four weeks before the wedding, Katie was rushed into intensive care at the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital after a sudden cardiac arrest. After 13 days in ICU, she died on Tuesday 18 October, surrounded by her loved ones.

Gina said, “Over 13 long days and nights we tried to prepare ourselves for what our new future might look like. We were faced with the worst possible outcome, and only knew that life would never be the same again.”

Now, to mark what would have been Katie’s 30th birthday, Gina will take on a 10,000ft skydive at Dunkeswell Airfield in Honiton on Sunday 17 August. She is covering the cost herself so that every penny raised will go directly to CRY, a charity dedicated to raising awareness of young sudden cardiac death and supporting bereaved families.

“I’m sure Kate will be there right next to me, ready to push me out,” she added.

Founded in 1995, CRY works to prevent young sudden cardiac death through awareness campaigns, free cardiac screening for young people, medical research, and bereavement support.

Katie’s GoFundMe campaign has already raised £180 towards a £350 goal.

You can support Gina’s skydive and read more about Katie’s story here: www.gofundme.com/f/katie-barons