A MUM-OF-ONE took to the skies at the weekend to raise money for a Chippenham charity which has supported her daughter who has learning difficulties.

Corsham’s Christina Alder took part in a skydive for charity Springboard, who support young children with disabilities and their families and where her four-year-old daughter, Grace, attended last year.

“It’s the second time I’ve done one but I went higher than last time to 15,000ft instead of 10,000ft and I got to control the parachute for a bit,” said Mrs Alder, 32, who is a qualified carer.

“I was still nervous even though I’d been before, that didn’t matter.

“It’s still not what you’re expecting, you still think oh my gosh and last time the weather wasn’t great but you could see everything this time.”

Mrs Alder hopes to raise £500 for Springboard, who are based on Lodge Road and have two play areas, a sensory room and a garden on its premises.

She said: “I’m raising money for Springboard because my daughter went there for a year alongside Neston Pre-school.

“There’s still been no diagnosis but she’s showing signs of being on the autistic spectrum and having dyspraxia.

“They looked after her for a year and helped her speech and playing along with other children.

“Springboard have been really important and there was a huge development when she went.

“I’ve raised nearly £300 so far but there’s more coming in and hopefully I can reach £500.”

Manager at Springboard Jane Boulton said: "In order for us to support the children to achieve their potential we need all the support that we can get.

We really want them to reach for the sky and in this case Christina has literally done this in her fundraising efforts. 

She has been incredibly daring and kind at the same time. The money raised helps us to continue to provide the ongoing and much needed  services for the children and families."

To make a donation visit https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/christinaalder1