coA 16-year-old girl will be throwing herself out of a plane to raise money for two causes close to her heart.
Sophie Kerr, of Worlingham, will be taking part in a tandem skydive at Ellough Airfield tomorrow, raising funds for a family friend who has been diagnosed with terminal cancer, along with the The People’s Picnic which provides free hot food to homeless people.
Worlingham mother-of-three Sarah Effeny was diagnosed with terminal cancer after a brush with skin cancer in 2014, which spread to her brain, lungs, liver and spine.
She married her partner of 12 years Lee in a fairytale wedding earlier this year after thousands of pounds poured in via an online donation page, which also went towards special days out with her children Elsie-Mai, Sid and Albert.
Sophie, who is a close friend of the family, said Mrs Effeny’s battle was a “true inspiration.”
She said: “Sarah has always been there for me and she has done so much for other people so I really want to give something back to her.
“The treatment has made her quite ill but she’s Sarah and she just keeps going.
“I want to raise money for a family day out so they can create some more happy memories.”
The Sir John Leman High School student, who will be starting her second year of A-levels in September, is also supporting the The People’s Picnic, an organisation which provides evening meals twice a week to people who are homeless in Norwich, as well as clothing and other essentials.
Sophie has been volunteering there for about six months with her mum Donna.
She said: “There are so many homeless and vulnerable people that need help and I think they are a group that often get forgotten about.”
Sophie set herself a target of £400, which has already been reached through her online fundraising page and she has also been collecting sponsorship from friends and family.
And while she jumps 13,000 feet out of a plane, Sophie will have plenty of people supporting her on the ground.
She said: “I’m bringing a small army with me to watch.
“I’m nervous and excited at the moment but I am looking forward to it.
“I’ve wanted to do a skydive for so long, but I wanted a reason to do it and now seemed the perfect time.”
To sponsor Sophie visit https://crowdfunding.justgiving.com/donna-smith-5
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here