Birthday wish to bungee in aid of charity
A 15-year-old army cadet from Hunwick will use her birthday present to raise money for ill children.
Lauren Hawthorne, a pupil at Wolsingham Community College, told her mum Tracey not to bother buying her presents for her birthday last May and instead asked her to pay for a charity bungee jump.
Lauren, an army cadet in Willington, will jump from the Middlesbrough transporter bridge on Sunday, October 4, dressed in her military uniform. Three quarters of the money she raises will go to the Freeman hospital at Newcastle after a fellow cadet’s brother was treated there following heart failure. The rest will go to the cadets in Willington.
Tracey said: “I was a bit surprised when Lauren said she didn’t want any presents but I am really proud of her for doing this. I can’t say it’s something I’d like to do, I very much like to keep my feet on the ground, but we will be there to cheer her on.”
Lauren, who admitted she has a head for heights after completing various tree walks and climbing tall ship masts said: “I’m really looking forward to it. I’ve been told that if it goes wrong the school will give me all As in my exams. I had wanted to do a skydive but I was too young so this is the next best thing. I wanted to do the jump so I thought I may as well do it for charity.”
Lauren plans to use her experience in the army cadets, where she has proved herself a top shot, to become an Apache helicopter pilot.
To sponsor Lauren’s jump contact the Mercury on 01388 768758, email duncanleatherdale@wearvalleymercury.co.uk or visit our office at 43 Hope Street, Crook.