A SEPTUAGENARIAN with a head for heights is calling on others to join her in a sky high charity challenge.

Tina Hicks, from Dorchester, is taking on a skydive to mark her 70th birthday and to raise funds for Dorset charity Diverse Abilities.

The charity, which supports more than 600 adults and children with disabilities in the county, is urging people to join Tina and skydive from 10,000 feet to raise funds to help support its work as it celebrates its 60th anniversary this year.

Plucky Tina is among those taking on the challenge but it is still open to anyone to sign up and get involved.

Tina said: “A couple of years ago I was at the Dorset County Show and talking to a young lady, Hannah Fielding, on the Diverse Abilities information stand.

“She told me that although she was in a wheelchair she was doing a tandem parachute jump to raise money for the charity.

“When I started thinking about how to celebrate my 70th birthday that conversation came back to me and I thought ‘why not’. If someone in a wheelchair was brave enough what was stopping me?

“Once I had made the decision it made sense to do the jump on my birthday and as I was inspired by the young lady from Diverse Abilities what better cause to do it for.

“I’m told that it is an amazing experience and now I can’t wait for June to come around!"

Sharon Wells, events fundraiser at Diverse Abilities, added: “Many people say that skydiving is something they would love to try and this is a great opportunity to have a go and celebrate our 60th birthday.

“Having the exhilarating feeling of wind rushing past you as you free fall will hopefully encourage generous sponsorship.”

To mark its anniversary the charity is hoping to get 60 skydivers to get involved on the day.

The actual skydive is free provided a minimum sponsorship of £395 is raised before the jump, although a £50 deposit is payable when signing up.

Sharon said: “If you are a thrillseeker looking for your next adrenaline fix or if you are looking to try something new, please get in touch.

“Our 60th anniversary is going to be very special, and we’d love for the Dorset community to be involved and take on this exciting challenge.”

Anyone unable to make June 14 can still get in touch with the charity and arrange to do a skydive on another date.

For more information email Sharon at sharon.wells@diverseabilities.org.uk or call 01202 718266.

For more details on the work of Diverse Abilities visit diverseabilities.org.uk or visit the charity’s Facebook page.