A GROUP of Okehampton women are planning to make a great leap from 10,000 feet to raise money for a centre providing a friendly welcome for parents and families of critically ill children. Liz Baker, Lisa Drew, Sue and Ebony Hutt, Anna Chappell, Stacy Schulmeyer and Alison Smith will be joined by their friend Emma Gordon from Cheriton Fitzpaine for a sponsored parachute jump. The brave ladies will be jumping from the skies above Dunkeswell airfield near Honiton on April 29. They will experience a 40 second fall at 120 miles an hour followed by a four minute free fall to the ground. Lisa said both she and Stacey had said a parachute jump was something they would like to do and so the idea was born. Lisa said the charity was a fantastic one. ?It is a volunteer run house that relies on donations. It provides somewhere for families to stay when their children are attending Bristol Children?s Hospital. Bristol is the nearest children?s hospital so they help families across the South West. ?They are looking to build six more rooms and the money will go towards that. If you have used the centre or have experience of what they do, it is dear to your heart.? Lisa said local people and businesses had been ?very, very generous?. The team still need to raise £5,000 to take part, and are already more than half way to the target. The women were bag packing for shoppers in Somerfield last Saturday to assist the cause and raised a splendid £430. Lisa said they were also organising a family disco being held on April 21, at the Conservative Club. Tickets are available from Baby Talk. The shop also has a donation pot and has sponsorship forms available if anyone wants to make a pledge. For more details or to make a contribution, you can contact Lisa on 01837 54096. l Pictured right are bag packers Liz Baker, Lisa Drew, Sue and Ebony Hutt, Anna Chappell and Stacy Schulmeyer in Somerfield last Saturday.
