Seven incredible drag artists – and a rare fire rainbow - lit up the skies this week to raise the glamour stakes, as well as money and awareness of Pride celebrations, for Princess Alice Hospice.

Scarlett Harlett, Crystal and Le Fil, who all took part in BBC3’s RuPaul’s Drag Race; Rosie Zinfandel, Kiki Snatch, Honey Foxx and Rhys Pieces all took a 10,000ft leap of faith for personal reasons and raise funds, many in memory of loved ones.

On the day of the dive, a rare weather event known as a ‘fire rainbow’ appeared in the sky, when a cloud turned the colours of a rainbow and remained in view until after the dive. The fire rainbow added extra poignancy for Scarlett, who was in drag for the first time since her mum died. Scarlett recalled how two rainbows had appeared in the sky when her mum died and felt she was sending a sign to her, as her biggest supporter of her drag:

‘Mum relied on the help of palliative care to make her life as comfortable as it could be towards the end stages of her life. Skydiving for this hospice charity holds a special significance for me because of what my mum had to go through, so I am thrilled to take part in this event to raise awareness, raise funds and honour my mum’s memory.’ 

For Rosie Zinfandel, it was the memory of her aunt, Annette, that provided the motivation: ‘The first experience I had with hospice care was when my aunt Annette was in the last stage of her life after having had cancer. Annette was the first person I came out as gay to, she was also the first family member I told about my interest in drag and showed pictures of makeup I did in my bedroom (it was terrible, but she encouraged me).’’ 

Proving that skydiving is no barrier to keeping up appearances, Rosie's eyelash fell off just after she jumped from the plane, but she caught it in her hand and carried it all the way down to the ground. 

On the morning of the event, the drag artists came together to prepare themselves, physically and emotionally, sharing make-up tips, experiences and stories ahead of the skydive itself. Production company, Fresh Films, was there to capture those unique moments, as part of a film being produced to explore what equitable, inclusive care looks like at Princess Alice Hospice. 

Rosa Armstrong, the Hospice’s Digital Marketing Officer who coordinated the event, had conversations on the day and was told how dying alone is a very real fear for many members of the LGBTQ+ community, who are more likely to have fewer familial support systems. Some of the divers even likened skydiving to hospice care – being strapped to somebody carrying you through a frightening experience and making you feel safe and supported! 

Speaking on her motivations for the event, she said: "Princess Alice Hospice care is for everybody, and the Drag Dive was a joyous way to shine a light on underserved communities. We’re so lucky to have had such incredible voices speaking on the importance of inclusive and compassionate Hospice care, and we can’t wait to share these in our upcoming film.”

Claire Woodward, Community Partnerships and Events Lead for the Hospice, said: ‘Each year, it costs us £10 million to provide free, specialist, end of life care to people with life limited illnesses, so the money our drag artists raised will help us continue to provide free compassionate care to local people who need us most – we can’t thank them enough.’ 

To date, the Drag Dive event has raised £3,764, just over 50% of the divers’ collective fundraising target of £7,500; further details can be found here:  https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/dragdive

Princess Alice Hospice: For Compassion. For Excellence. For People. For Living.

Princess Alice Hospice has, for more than 35 years, provided free, high-quality, specialist end of life care to tens of thousands of people across a large part of Surrey, south west London and Middlesex. Today, at any one time, Hospice nurses, doctors and other specialist staff are looking after more than 900 people in need. The Hospice's mission is to reach out to even more people by delivering outstanding care to those that need it. To enable us to do this, we must rely on the commitment and support of our communities who help us to raise vital funds.

£10.1 million is needed each year to provide our vital services. With limited NHS funding provided by CCGs, which represents circa 24% of our expenditure on charitable activities, in more normal times, the balance is raised through legacies, fundraising, dedicated shop units and investments. It is only the generous support of our communities and beyond, that makes it possible to do our work.