A DOG lover is planning to leap for charity with a parachute jump for her four legged friends.

Barbara Kilgallen, 38, of Queen's Road, Fulwood, is preparing a solo parachute jump to raise money for Greyhounds in Need, a national charity which rescues and helps the racing breed of dog.

The plucky mother-of-two is just waiting for the first weekend of good weather before making her big jump.

It follows Barbara's decision to save a greyhound from being slaughtered in Spain.

She said: "I really wanted a dog and it hadn't been my intention to rescue one, but after reading up about what happens to so many of them I decided that was what I had to do.

"Greyhounds are often dumped when they've had their use, their sporting life isn't so long and not all countries have the same rules and regulations for the welfare of animals as England.

"In Spain they usually hang the dogs or just leave them to die of starvation." Barbara and husband Bryan visited their greyhound, Tiggy, in Lincoln, where he was being held in quarantine after being brought from Barcelona.

The two-year-old dog was one of a group of 15 that had been dumped. Barbara believes he was being used for hare coursing.

She said: "It was very sad when we took him home, it was meant to be a great day, but he had been sharing a kennel with another dog and it looked so miserable being left there."

Now Tiggy, short for Tigerton because of his distinct markings, is settling down to life in Preston with Barbara and her family.

And the daring charity champ is waiting for a clear day to make her parachute jump with the Black Knights, based in Cockerham.

"I'm very nervous, but I want to do this more than I'm scared of it."

To sponsor Barbara call her on 07760223618.