SUPPORTERS of Stepping Stones will be taking a leap of faith for the Trowbridge charity next weekend when parents and staff will be skydiving from 10,000ft.

The brave group of 13 will be taking part in the tandem skydive with GoSkydive in Old Sarum next Sunday, reaching speeds of up to 125mph as they freefall for approximately 30 seconds, facing their fears and taking on the ultimate challenge.

Leading the pack is settings manager Debbie Wickham, 55, who said the dive will put her fear of heights to the test.

She added: “It was through a bit of encouragement and a moment of madness that I said I thought I should lead from the front and take part.

“I thought if I said I was going to do it, as a lady in her mid-fifties, it might encourage others to take part.

“I am now counting down the days which are drawing ever closer and I am trying to forget about the actual jump. But I think because it is for Stepping Stones, I wouldn’t be jumping out of a plane for any other charity. I am more scared of going up and jumping out but once the parachute is opened, I think I’ll be fine.

“A skydive is something we haven’t done at Stepping Stones before and I am just so delighted that so many members of families who deal with Stepping Stones are going to join in and so it will be a real Stepping Stones community event.”

Stepping Stones work with children up to five-years-old across west Wiltshire who have a range of different conditions such as downs syndrome, cerebral palsy or autism, or undiagnosed developmental delays.

Despite being partly funded by Wiltshire Council to provide five sessions a week, demand on Stepping Stones support means the charity has to raise £50,000 every year in order to run 10 sessions a week for children to match the need from families.

Mrs Wickham added: “In order to provide every service to make a difference, we really need to be constantly striving to increase our income.

“Everyone involved in Stepping Stones cares passionately about the work we do and we do not let funding become an issue because if the children need a piece of equipment or service, we strive to raise money to fund it.

“I’m not very good at heights and I am probably not the profile of the usual person who might take part in a skydive but I am very much looking forward to be back on the ground.”

To donate, visit www.localgiving.org/fundraising/debbiewickham