70th birthday skydive

Daredevil Lesley Blount plans to jump 10,000 feet from an aeroplane on her 70th birthday and raise money for two children’s charities. 

Lesley, of Wymeswold, turns 70 on April 13 and wanted to do something memorable to mark the occasion. Lesley, who will complete the epic challenge in Salisbury, has revealed she is very excited and thinks about the skydive every night before going to sleep.

Lesley aims to raise £1,000 for us because she volunteers weekly at our hospice, and Spurgeons Children’s Charity, where she once worked as a project manager. 

“Sadly, some children don’t live long enough and regrettably many other children live with social, economic, or family struggles,” said Lesley. “I am very aware of the immeasurable value these two charities bring to children and families in these situations. My personal skills do not include any direct help I could offer these children, but I can jump out of an aeroplane!

“I am really excited. If I can raise money to go towards helping children who sadly won’t have 70 years as I have had, or had my advantages in life, that for me is fantastic.”

Lesley, who is married to Peter, has daughters Tracy and Marie and grandchildren Ben (18), Lottie (13) and Albert (eight). They will be cheering Lesley on at the skydive along with her sons-in-law, Peter and Nick, and many friends before celebrating her milestone birthday.

Jess Dixon, a Community Fundraiser at Rainbows – which cares for over 400 children and young people with life-limiting illnesses, added: “Lesley is such an amazing woman. Not only does she help out at the hospice by volunteering, she is now taking on this incredible feat and jumping out of a plane. We couldn’t run our hospice without our volunteers and fundraisers, of which Lesley is both. She is a true inspiration and on behalf of everyone at Rainbows, I wish her the best of luck.”

Spurgeons Chief Executive Ross Hendry said: “We’re thrilled that Lesley is marking this special birthday by combining a lifelong wish with an opportunity to support Spurgeons work with vulnerable children and disadvantaged families.

“We hope Lesley’s fundraising efforts will have soared as she comes down safely to ground – there will be many children who will be grateful to Lesley for her daring and generosity.”

To sponsor Lesley, visit virginmoneygiving.com/LesleyBlount