First-time skydive in honour of family member with lung disease

A GAINFORD woman is planning a breathtaking, first time skydive on her 28th birthday to raise cash for the British Lung Foundation.

Jac Ferguson is planning the jump in honour of her nana, Gladys Greenland, who suffers from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). She was diagnosed a few years ago.
Ms Ferguson said: “There really isn’t much to treat it. Thankfully she isn’t on oxygen yet, but she has an inhaler and she is on medication.”
The 83-year-old contracted the disease after being exposed to asbestos as a child.
A self-confessed risk taker, Ms Ferguson said she had wanted to skydive since a teenager and recently took part in an abseil from St Mary’s Church tower.
She added: “I got to the bottom and wanted to go again.”
Along with raising sponsorship through her inaugural jump, which takes place on June 30, Ms Ferguson has teamed up with the village vicar Eileen Harrop to put on a craft and cake sale at the church on June 3.
Many of the cakes will be baked by Ms Ferguson and people from the village and the congregation will be selling their hand-crafted items.
Of the 27-year-old’s stunt, the vicar said: “I think it is incredibly brave of her. She is doing something that is passionate to her because of her nana.
“She is doing something very visual and daring to raise awareness of the British Lung Foundation and I think that is very inspiring. I am very proud of her.”
To support Ms Ferguson visit justgiving.com/fundraising/Jacqueline-Ferguson2