SKYDIVING charity fund-raiser Mollie James overcame her fears to make a 15,000 feet jump over Dunkeswell Airfield on Sunday (May 7).

Mollie, a self-employed community care worker, raised £765 for the Alzheimer’s Society in memory of her grandfather Terry James.

The parachute jump took place on her grandfather’s birthday and the money will help the charity in its quest for a cure for Alzheimer’s disease, from which Terry died.

For Mollie, who lives in West Buckland, it literally was a case of conquering her fear as the aircraft took off and climbed to 15,000 feet with parachute pilot Neil Empringham.

She said: “I became very nervous and upset in the plane and Neil gave me the courage to jump.

“Neil was so kind, calm, gentle, and reassuring with me.

“The Skydive Buzz team were a wonderful crew with their knowledge and expertise.”

Mollie’s online fund-raising page can be found at https://www.justgiving.com/page/mollie93?utm_source=copyLink&utm_medium=one_page&utm_content=page/mollie93&utm_campaign=pfp-share&utm_term=00ad0abbbc8548e38244e95903e0752b.

Mollie said: “Dementia is a cruel, tragic disease that can affect anybody.

“Every penny helps raise money for a fantastic charity that is getting closer to finding cures and medicines, helping to care for those with Alzheimer’s, and also offering badly needed support to the loved ones affected.

"It is also about raising awareness which is so important to let people know they are not alone and the Alzheimer’s Society deserves all the recognition in the world as they are a fantastic charity.”