Skydive for a down-to-earth cause

A mother and son from Oldham took part in a daring skydive to raise money for a cause close to their hearts.

Natalie Frenchum, of Thomas Street, Lees, and her son Damien Thackeray raised £1,323.50 for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust with a sponsored parachute jump from 12,000 feet.

Damien (24) said: “My grandad was supposed to do it initially but he became ill so I stepped in. It’s always something I wanted to do and it was a great opportunity for a good cause. It was an amazing feeling. Such an adrenalin buzz.”

Damien and his mum Natalie (46), followed each other out of the plane, over an airfield in Headcorn, Kent.

Natalie hatched the plan with her 21-year old daughter Chelsey Thackeray to raise money for her friend Sophie Wheeler, who has cystic fibrosis. The condition prevents her from doing things most young people take for granted.

Chelsey, a third-year student nurse at the University of Salford, said: “Sophie can’t go to college. and she is regularly in hospital.

“We wanted to raise money for such a good cause.

“My grandad was going to do it but he had a pacemaker fitted so he couldn’t. He had already paid so my brother did it instead.”