AN OKEHAMPTON woman has raised nearly £1,500 with a skydive for the hospice in Exeter which cared for her father-in-law and her best friend in their final days.

Helen Caron did the tandem jump from Dunkeswell Aerodrome back in July, strapped to an instructor. She was waved off by her partner Steve, her son Richard and his wife Amy, grandchildren Lewis and Scarlett, her daughter Claire and best friend Sonja.

Afterwards, Helen was presented with her certificate, and relaxed with a much-deserved G&T.

‘Hospiscare is an amazing place,’ she said. ‘The staff, the environment and the facilities that are available to families who don’t want to leave their loved ones are all amazing. I just felt that I wanted to give a little back, to say thank you for all their hard work and dedication in looking after our loved ones and us in our times of need.’

She added: ‘I have previously done two static line parachute jumps and in 2016 I was lucky enough to do a tandem skydive over Lake Wanaka in New Zealand with my partner Steve, so I thought, why not another skydive for the hospice?

‘I was so excited leading up to the day and the generosity of friends and family was incredible. Huge thanks goes out to all those who sponsored me! Huge thanks also to Buzz Skydive Honiton for looking after me on the day.’

She said she enjoyed her skydive so much that she hoped to repeat it next year, again raising money for Hospiscare. ‘Myself, family and friends will always be forever thankful for all their support,’ she said.