A STUDENT has agreed to do a skydive to raise funds for the East Lancashire Hospice.

Samantha Leecy, who is partially sighted, will take on the challenge on Sunday, July 17, along with her stepdad Matthew Howarth.

They will both jump out of a plane at 11,000 feet - more than 3,300 metres in the sky - to raise money for the much-loved hospice in Blackburn.

Samantha, a second year drama student at UCLan, said: "My mum Vicki Howarth signed us both up in April, but she waited until my step dad had had a drink before talking him into it!”

Vicki has helped both organise and register for the skydive which is being completed in memory of her Aunt, Olwen Baldwin, who is Samantha’s Great Aunt. 

Samantha's grandmother Vivienne Hoyle - Olwen’s sister - also works at the Hopsice.

Samantha added: “My Great Aunt needed end of life care in April 2020 for her cancer, and the Hospice looked after her at home so that she could stay with her family when Covid-19 would have meant she would have been alone.

"I wanted to do my bit to help make a difference.

 “I’m ready to jump from 11,000ft, but I think my step dad may need a little push."

You can support Samantha by visiting her JustGiving page here.