Skydiving OAP is jumping for charity

A fearless OAP is taking a leap of faith when she jumps out of a plane for charity.
Lena Etherington is doing a skydive for charity.Lena Etherington is doing a skydive for charity.
Lena Etherington is doing a skydive for charity.

Lena Etherington, 77, of Hest Bank, is preparing to skydive for Christian Aid week and is ‘‘not nervous at all”.

She said: “I always wanted to do a jump and I thought it seemed a good idea if I could use it to get sponsorship for Christian Aid.

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“I was assessed and they hooked me up to the ceiling and let me dangle in a harness.

“I have to go along to the Black Knights Parachute Centre on the day for some pre-jump training. Of course I’ll be doing a tandem jump. I don’t trust myself to open my cord in time. I want to prove to everyone I can do it.”

Lena has been a member of Hest Bank United Reformed Church since 1977 when she moved to the area from Wales.

She is no stranger to danger however – she has enjoyed a trip in a hot air balloon and was driven at high speed around Silverstone race track.

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She said: “I want to get as much money as I can for Christian Aid. Members of the three churches, Hest Bank URC, Bolton-le-Sands URC and Halton URC are all chipping in with sponsorship.

Lena said: “I want to prove to everyone I can do it.”

Lena will be doing her skydive on May 16 at Cockerham.

Christian Aid week runs from May 10 to 16. Donate online at www.caweek.org, or call 08080 006 006.

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