Daredevil students jumps out of plane to raise money for Alzheimer’s Society

Lauren Smithson, who attends Haslingden High School, planned two events for the charity in tribute to 95-year-old Nora Daphne Smith who was diagnosed with the condition in 2004.

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The 16-year-old, who is from Haslingden, raised £1,370.

She planned to do the jump in what she thought was her final year at school when she finished her GCSEs.

After staying on to complete A-levels the teenager has decided her next challenge will be a bungee jump when she turns 18 to celebrate her final year.

Lauren, who studies art, maths, German and music, said: “My great-grandma, Nora Daphne Smith, who is now 95, was first diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2004.

“However she began to show symptoms of the disease as early as 1998.

“The Alzheimer’s Society provided much needed support to my great-grandad, Harry, which enabled them to live at home for a number of years following her diagnosis.

“I just wanted to say thank you for the help they have given my family.”

Her parents David and Paula and younger sister Abbie, 14, joined her at the Black Knights Parachute Centre for the tandem skydive.

She said: “I was a little bit nervous just before I got on with it because I didn’t know what to expect.

“However you don’t really have time because the next thing you are in the plane and there is no going back.

“When I got to the edge ready to jump out it was really cool.

“I had my legs outside the plane and just leaned forward and before I knew it we were freefalling.

“A photographer followed us straight after and took photographs and a video of me on the way down.

“We did a freefall for about a minute and then the parachute was opened, “I just had a big grin on my face for the whole time. The view was amazing.”

Lauren, who plays flute with Rossendale Valley Sounds, also arranged a concert and Great British Tea Party at St Veronica’s Parish Hall in Helmshore which raised £740 towards the total.