Leap for charity (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Leap for charity

Gill Brooks is ready for her leap of faith (17152)IT'S ONE giant leap for a teacher from west Wiltshire as she plans to skydive for charity.

Gill Brooks, 59, a former teacher at Matravers School, Westbury, and St Laurence School, Bradford on Avon, will jump from 10,000ft for Bath-based RICE.

The Research Institute for the Care of the Elderly at St Martin's Hospital, analyses memory problems associated with old age and Mrs Brooks hopes to raise more than £250 when she makes the tandem jump.

"I feel RICE is something that's very important and I feel there is a lot of interest but not a lot of funding," she said.

After making the jump on July 3, Mrs Brooks will reach 120mph as she freefalls to 5,000ft before her partner opens the parachute.

Mrs Brooks said: "I don't have a problem with heights, although I've not been up with an open door."