A LUSTON mum who is afraid of heights is to jump from 10,000ft to raise money for a county charity.

And Iola Wilkes, 33, will have all the moral support she needs as her husband Matthew will be right behind when she completes her terrifying skydive.

The couple are raising money for two separate charities – Leominster-based Community Wheels and Make A Wish Foundation UK – and will complete the challenge separately in July at Swansea Airfield.

Mrs Wilkes works for Community Wheels, a transport service aimed at residents in North Herefordshire, Leominster, central Herefordshire, Hereford city and the surrounding parishes without the means or ability to travel.

She said: "Back in July last year, we found out there would be more cuts from the council so have been racking our brains to think of ways to raise more money.

"We do regular fundraising but I was trying to think of something that would not only raise money but would also be quite big in order to raise awareness.

"We have 72 or 73 drivers and around 1,200 customers. But you can still talk to people in the area about Community Wheels and they'll say 'what's that?'

"I really want to make people aware.

"We don't know what's happening in the long-term and the council is no longer helping to subsidise the trips we are doing. We need to make sure as many people know about us as possible and we need as many drivers as we can get."

Mrs Wilkes confesses she is a 'bit of a wuss' and hasn't done anything quite so challenging before. Her husband however, is an adrenalin junkie and jumped at the chance to support his wife.

The 33-year-old is raising money for the Make a Wish Foundation UK.

"It's a charity he's always loved," Mrs Wilkes said. "He's a huge family man and he realises what a worthwhile charity it is. They get no government funding at all."

The couple are parents to two children, 11-year-old Archie and 22-month-old Caelan.

Mrs Wilkes has paid for the jump herself so every penny raised will go directly to charity.

"At the moment I'm terrified as I'm scared of heights," she said. "But I'm concentrating on raising awareness and promoting the charity.

"Some people have said we are absolutely made and probably we are but you only live once and all that."

To sponsor Mrs Wilkes call the Community Wheels booking line on 01568 615785 or visit www.doitforcharity.com/iolawilkes

To sponsor Mr Wilkes visit www.doitforcharity.com/mattwilkes

  • Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer with Community Wheels should call 01568 617722.