Knaresborough’s sponsored skydiver thanks supporters

Susan Dearlove, was set to throw herself from 10,000ft in the air on Saturday October 3 but poor weather conditions meant the dive was postponed by a week.

Not one to shy from the challenge, Susan decided to use the postponed dive to her advantage and has increased the height of her dive by another 5,000ft.

She said: “The decision to jump the extra was because I’d gone to Durham on Saturday to jump 10,000ft but had to wait around for training etc. Whilst I was waiting the posters became more interesting and I felt very brave so decided ‘in for a penny in for a pound - what’s another 5,000ft?’ More time to enjoy the scenery!”

Susan was inspired to do the dive after Knaresborough local, 94-year old Rose Smiles was left needing a leg amputation after a road incident on the High Street.

Despite setting an original fundraising target of £1,000, to split equally between Age UK and the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, Susan has already bypassed this, raising £1233

Susan said: “I would really like to thank a load of people who have taken the time to sponsor me and collect sponsors on my behalf. The list seems endless.

“I am overwhelmed by peoples generosity. I hope when Rose reads this she knows how much people care.

As a result of her charitable challenge, Susan has met with a representative from the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and with Maggie Maltby, the eldest daughter of Rose Smiles.

The new dive will now take place on Saturday October 10 at 2pm.

Susan said: “Arms crossed, fingers crossed and anything else that can be crossed for good weather in Durham on Saturday.”