A Wisbech undertaker has taken to the skies over Fenland to raise money for a charity close to her heart.
Laura Mooney-Dutton, of Wisbech Funeral Service, took on the challenge of a tandem skydive to raise money for the Arthur Rank Hospice Charity in Cambridge, which runs the Alan Hudson Day Treatment Centre at the North Cambs Hospital in Wisbech.
Laura, who, together with her husband James, is a long-time supporter of the Alan Hudson centre, said she had never considered jumping out of a plane until the charity's fundraising coordinator, Toni Bird, flagged up the opportunity.
She said: "Toni contacted us and asked if we wanted to take part. I had never thought about doing one, but when she asked, I thought, 'Why not?', so I signed up for it along with another lady.
"We were intending to do it together, but unfortunately, she was unable to take part due to health reasons, so I ended up doing it alone."
Laura said after a couple of false starts with the jump being cancelled due to weather conditions, she took to the skies on Friday, October 17.
"When we got there, it was pretty dismal, so they offered a chance to go higher. We were supposed to jump at 7,000 feet, but we ended up going to 13,000 feet," said Laura, who admitted the whole experience was out of her comfort zone.
"It was pretty overcast, but when we got above the clouds, it was bright sunshine and when we looked out of the window, there was a rainbow surrounding the plane. It was absolutely beautiful, and a bit surreal," said Laura.
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She completed the tandem jump, and said: "It was an amazing experience, 'would I do it again?' Definitely."
Laura, is no novice when it comes to fundraising, as she and James have taken part in other events for the Alan Hudson Centre, and she has also helped raise money for local scout groups.
She has set up a GoFundMe page, which is still open to donations.
Laura said: "The Alan Hudson Centre is such an amazing place. Doing the job we do, we see the work the centre does to help people with life-limiting conditions, who need treatment, and just how supportive it is for both patients and their families.
"It is such a fantastic thing to have in our town, and that is why it is important for me to help with fundraising, especially after the recent funding cuts."
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