A WOMAN who braved a 10,000ft sky dive has raised more than a thousand pounds to help a friend.
Julie Simmonds, aged 41, a supervisor at the Valuations Agency in Rhyl, will hand more than £1250 to the Multiple Sclerosis charity after her colleague and friend Lorraine Evans was diagnosed with the incurable illness.
Gung-ho Julie is normally no adrenaline junkie, as the most extreme event she has previously attended was the Rhyl skytower abseil, but she faced the fall to the fields of Shropshire at the start of the month.
She said: “I took the plunge on December 3. It was the most terrifying, but amazing experience ever. Lorraine came along to support me - and when I landed I needed support my legs were shaking so much!
“I had a slight delay as I didn't realise once you reach the ripe old age of 40 you need a doctors note to say you’re fit to jump.
“Fortunately my GP returned and signed the form. We were lucky with the weather and I was up in the air by 10am Saturday morning.”
Julie took part in the hair-raising fundraiser after witnessing the dignified, cheerful way her colleague dealt with the illness.
She said: “Lorraine is very bubbly, definitely a glass half full person. She doesn’t let the little things get her down, or the big things either.
“Lorraine's courage has been my inspiration to fund raise for the MS society. The MS Society relies on voluntary income to provide vital services to those affected by multiple sclerosis.
“Both nationally and locally, through our branch network, the MS Society is constantly striving to improve the lives of people with MS and their friends and family.”
You can still sponsor Julie by visiting /beatms.mssociety.org.uk and searching “Julie Simmonds” in sponsor a friend.