Alzheimer's Research UK

Cumbria fundraiser, 70, plummets 14,000ft for Alzheimer’s Research UK

08/12/2011

A courageous Ulverston fundraiser took on a 14,000ft skydiving challenge to celebrate her 70th birthday, raising £2,163 for Alzheimer’s Research UK.

Charlotte Wills bravely took to the skies after her family arranged for her to do a tandem jump for her birthday. She chose to use the occasion to raise money for dementia research, and she has already raised far more than she had hoped to, with many generous donations coming from members of the Methodist Church in Neville Street, Ulverston. She now expects to boost her total even further, as more donations are still coming in.

Charlotte’s challenge was originally due to happen in September, but had to be postponed twice because of bad weather. She was finally able to take the plunge last month.

Charlotte spoke of her experience and her motivation for raising money for Alzheimer’s Research UK:
“Skydiving was a once-in-a-lifetime experience – it was both nerve-wracking and exciting, and the memory will stay with me for a long time. At 14,000ft it was very cold and windy, but it was a beautiful still day, and it was wonderful to see Morecambe Bay spread out in front of me, as well as Windermere and Coniston Water. I was very grateful to land safely!

“When my family told me they were arranging for me to go skydiving, I decided I would rather do it for charity. I chose Alzheimer’s Research UK because dementia affects so many people, yet there are no treatments that can stop this devastating condition, and research into dementia is desperately underfunded. I’ve been overwhelmed by the generosity of everyone who sponsored me, and I’m so pleased to know that the money raised through this challenge will make a difference.”

Miranda May, Community Fundraising Manager at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said:
“This is a terrific result, and we can’t thank Charlotte enough for taking on such a brave challenge. Every £20 raised will fund an hour of pioneering research to find preventions, treatments and a cure for dementia.

“With 6,600 people affected by dementia in Cumbria alone, we urgently need to find new treatments that can improve people’s lives. Dementia can only be defeated through research, but funding lags far behind other serious diseases. We rely entirely on the commitment and generosity of people like Charlotte to fund our research.”