Barnardo’s is looking for people across Wales brave enough to make a sponsored 10,000 feet freefall tandem parachute jump in aid of vulnerable children.

Dare-devils are being asked to join the children’s charity’s first ever UK Sky Dive Challenge and jump at one of nine sites across the UK – including Swansea -on 2 July 2017.

Last year Abergavenny grandmother Veronica Williams took the plunge to achieve a lifetime’s ambition with a 12,000 foot sky dive and raised more than £420 for Barnardo’s Cymru.

Veronica, Chairwoman of the Abergavenny Barnardo’s Helper Group, said “The day was a most amazing, exhilarating and exciting event, everything I had imagined and more. I loved every minute.”

Mrs Williams, who has three grown-up children and two grandchildren took part in a tandem parachute jump at the Swansea Sky Dive Centre.

She said: “My sky dive instructor Grayson Summers was incredible, great respect to him. He enabled me to enjoy every moment with his positivity and professionalism. Sky Dive Swansea were great from the first phone call to book the dive, to the debriefing and completion of the day.”

Those who sign up as a pair on and before Valentine’s Day on 14 February will qualify for a special ’buy one, get one free’ on their registration deposit. The registration deposit is normally £70. Participants will be required to raise £395 in sponsorship.

Senior Event Manager at Barnardo’s, Matt Short, said:

“This is the first time we’ve challenged people across the country to take part in a sky diving event. It promises to be great fun and is an opportunity for those who may not have done this type of activity before to push themselves.

“All money raised will be used to help vulnerable children supported by Barnardo’s, such as those as young as five who care for a sick or disabled relative or those who have been sexually exploited.

Mr Short added: “Technically the jump is called a ‘tandem skydive’. It is a skydive because you will be freefalling through the air (without the parachute deployed) for several thousand feet. It is in tandem because you will be harnessed to a professional parachute instructor at all times throughout the descent. It’s a great chance to become a freefall parachutist while raising money to transform children’s futures.”

For more information and to sign up, go to http://www.barnardos.org.uk/skydive or call Matt Short on 0208 498 7676.