A FORMER young carer showed off her caring nature when she dressed for fundraising success and plummeted to earth for charity.

19-year-old Josie Goldthorpe raised more than £200 when she leapt out of a plane over Swansea to complete a 12,000 foot tandem skydive for Tenovus Cancer Care on June 20 this year.

But before she embarked on her challenge she took on the tough mission of dressing up and parading around Barry’s streets collecting money for the charity.

Josie, of Barry, said: “It was hard work but I achieved an outstanding result which gave me huge pride and satisfaction. I decided to raise money for this cancer charity because a few members of my family were affected by cancer including my dad, who suffered from lymphoma. Even though he thankfully recovered from the disease, I felt something had struck inside me. I just thought I had to do something to raise money for Tenovus cancer care whose aims is to help prevent, treat and find a cure for cancer. They do this by offering support, advice and treatment to cancer patients.

“The experience of the skydive was out of this world and I still can’t believe to this present day that I jumped out of a plane from 12,000 feet in the air and descended into a rainbow and one cloud or two.

“I was just so nervous that I couldn’t even concentrate on what the instructor was telling me.

“My heart rate was increasing faster as the time got nearer to this thrilling experience.

“After the introduction, I was taken down stairs to get into my gear which consisted of wearing a green jump suit, a peculiar pointy hat and plastic, slightly oval goggles.

“I totally resembled Kermit the frog.

“I went onto performing some movements on this cushion chair thing which was compulsory for me to do for when descending and for when at the point of jumping.

“I felt like a performing acrobat in front of all the people who were gazing at me. After I calmed my nerves, by using breathing techniques, I heard a loud shout from my tandem instructor, Ryan Mancey who was very supportive throughout this journey.”

She added: “I was terrified! I was the last person jumping out.

“I had to endure watching these people jump out which made me physically sick and scared but having the lyrics I Believe I Can Fly by R Kelly made me feel a bit more less scared.

“I fell into the white clouds and felt the force of the wind pushing against my whole body which made me incapable to move. After about 20 seconds, I felt the parachute lift me up and it was not until this time that I could actually move freely and see the lovely scenery of Swansea and the colourful rainbow beneath me. My whole body was buzzing and my smile grew bigger and bigger until I reached the ground knowing that I accomplished this for a worthwhile charity I hold very close to my heart. I had the time of my life.”

Josie also took part in a Goodnight Walk for Tenovus in May 2014 and is currently selling raffle tickets at The Dolphin Bar, Barry Island, to go towards the charity.

For details on Tenvous and how you can donate, visit www.tenovuscancercare.org.uk

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