Winchester octogenarian set for charity skydive (From Hampshire Chronicle)

Winchester octogenarian set for charity skydive

2:30pm Monday 18th March 2013 in News

JUMPING out of an aeroplane is a daunting prospect, but for an 88-year-old from Twyford it is easier than walking.

Sylvia Stops is skydiving to raise money for Parkinson’s UK and says she can’t wait.

Mrs Stops said: “I’m getting a bit ancient now and I heard about all these charity walks to support the charity but I couldn’t do that.

“But I think it’s easier to skydive. I had heard of elderly people doing it for their birthday, so I thought I could do it for charity,” she said.

The date of the jump is April 6, by which time Mrs Stops will be 89.

She will head to Netheravon airfield in Wiltshire and undertake another medical before getting the all-clear.

There will be 29 people taking part, all in support of the charity, and Mrs Stops will jump in tandem with an experienced skydiver.

She said she is glad to be getting more support than if she had arranged a coffee morning, but admits that when it comes to the task itself, the full scale of the challenge may not have sunk in yet.

“I’m sure I shall be absolutely terrified on the day!” she said.

A supporter of Parkinson’s UK for many years, Mrs Stops said she has “too many friends with the condition.”

To support Mrs Stops, visit justgiving.com/sylviastops.