Member Article

North East gran takes to the skies for charity

A dare-devil North East grandma, dubbed Super Gran, is set to take to the skies and skydive for a local charity this weekend.

Inspiring 81-year-old, Nancy Rutherford, of Whitley Bay will skydive for local hospice St. Oswald’s despite being terrified of heights.

The skydive takes place on Sunday 6th April at Shotton Sky Diving Academy in County Durham with all proceeds raised going to the hospice.

Nancy was quick to play down her efforts, she said: “I’m not scared, I’m looking forward to it in a macabre sort of way.

“It’s completely out of character for me to do something like this. I was laid in bed one night and was thinking about the things I hadn’t done yet. I took my inspiration from a 90-year-old man who went to Africa to skydive.”

Having worked at the hospice on and off for ten years and losing relatives to brain tumours and bowl cancer, the charity is close to Nancy’s heart.

She said: “They are a fantastic charity and I’m proud to be supporting them. They are always available to provide a helping hand and when my husband took ill three years ago, they were a big help.”

Originally born in small pit village, Scremerston, just south of Berwick, Nancy moved to Whitley Bay 41 years ago with her late husband who was a police officer.

The couple went on to have three children and Nancy is expecting a fan fare from them when she takes the plunge.

The grandma of six said: “Everyone is going to be there on the day cheering me on. My son and daughter both live down south and are coming up especially and my other daughter lives in Whitley Bay, she has been helping me set everything up.

“My grandchildren think I’m mad, but my family and friends have been incredibly supportive and I’d like to thank them for that.”

Whitley Bay pub, The Monkseaton Arms is also supporting Nancy in her skydive, the manager of the pub, Leigh Dryden said: “We’re partnering up with Cullercoats Brewery to provide a uniquely named ale called Supergran, with 10p from every sale going towards the cause.

“The ale will be available at the beginning of April and we would like to take the opportunity to wish Nancy the best of luck with her skydive and we hope she raises as much as possible for St. Oswald’s!”

The young-at-heart pensioner hopes to inspire the younger generation to support local charities and show that age doesn’t mean you have to stop having fun.

So far the stunt has almost reached her target of £1500 and Nancy is calling on all the support she can get to try and thrash this!

If you would like to donate towards the cause, please visit: http://www.justgiving.com/NancyRutherford

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by lazy grace .