Lucie to skydive in aid of charity in desperate need

Lucie Dumbleton, 27, of Broadwater, is hoping to raise around £500 for the Camelia Botnar Children’s Centre, in Wellesley Avenue, Goring.

Lucie said: “They are in dire need really. I’ve got quite a few friends that have benefitted from them, one in particular whose little girl has just left there and it’s quite close to my heart really.”

The charity, which cares for pre-school children with a range of special needs and long-term medical conditions, faces closure at the end of the year if it cannot find the funds needed to continue operating. West Sussex County Council has provided short-term funding to keep the centre open until December.

Lucie will travel to Salisbury Plain to complete her sky dive alongside her partner, Kevin Keegan, who is also jumping on the day for a stillbirth and neonatal-death charity.

“We are up on the plane at the same time but we will be jumping separately,” said Lucie.

“It’s a bit more crazy than your average five kilometre run. I’m scared of heights and flying, so to fly out in an older propeller-style plane is pretty whacky. We have seen friends do it and thought let’s do it. I’m bit of an adrenaline junkie.

“I’m very excited, but nervous. The charity need all the help they can get to fund the centre until after new year. It’s a shame West Sussex County Council can’t fund them further really.”

To sponsor Lucie, visit mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/luciesskydive