Three work colleagues – including an 80-year-old granny – are getting ready to make a giant leap to help people with Huntington’s disease.
Paisley office worker Edna MacIver, who celebrated her 80th birthday in February, persuaded her colleagues Jennifer Connar and Charlotte Sandison to join her in a fundraising skydive for the Scottish Huntington’s Association (SHA).
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Signing up was no bother for Edna who’s already taken part in a tandem skydive in 1997 and parachuted out of a plane back in 1989.
Mum-of-four Edna, who also has two grandchildren, said: “I preferred the solo parachute jump because I was in control but I think at my age the tandem skydive is a better idea.
“I’m really looking forward to it. I thought about it for a couple of months then around my 80th birthday I just decided to go for it.
“People were surprised, my daughter Louisa actually said, ‘That’s the end of granny!’
“But my family is really supportive and we’ve had a great response to the fundraising for Scottish Huntington’s Association and on social media.”
The three admin staff work together at an office in Paisley and Jennifer, 20, from Glenburn, said Edna has been the driving force behind the scheme.
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“I can’t quite believe we’re all doing this,” she said. “I came back from lunch one day and Edna was talking about doing a skydive.
“One of my colleagues said, ‘Jennifer will do it with you’ and the next thing I knew I had signed up.
“We couldn’t say no to Edna!
“I’m not that nervous but that’s what’s worrying me. I think it’ll hit me on the day.
“My family and friends thought I was joking at first because I’ve never done a bungee jump or anything like this.
“It’s also the first time Charlotte and I have ever done any fundraising – we’ve really enjoying doing something that will help other people.
“It’s shown us how much can be achieved when you really put your mind to it.”
Huntington’s disease is a complex genetic condition causes changes to the thinking processes (an early onset dementia), loss of muscle control, involuntary movements, and mental
illness.
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Each child of an HD parent has a 50 per cent likelihood of inheriting the gene which leads to the disease, for which there is currently no cure.
In Scotland today there are 1,100 people with HD and a further 6,000 are believed to be at risk.
Charlotte, 21, a former pupil of Johnstone High, said they’re happy to be helping the SHA, which is based in Paisley.
She explained: “After finding out how the charity is helping families and young people here in Renfrewshire and across Scotland, we’re pleased to have chosen Scottish Huntington’s Association for our first ever fundraising effort.
“We held a charity night and bucket collections, and helped to raise awareness and get people talking about HD.
“Everyone has been really generous and so far, we’ve collected nearly £2,000.
“We want to raise as much money as possible, that is really important to us.”
Edna, who comes from Dumbarton, is very proud of her young colleagues’ commitment.
“I know Charlotte and Jennifer are a bit nervous but I’m sure they’ll love it on the day,” she said.
“It’s an amazing opportunity – it can be once in a lifetime thing or, like me, you can do it a few times!”
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The skydive tomorrow morning takes place at Strathallan Airfield in Perthshire.
To support the ladies’ fundraising, go to www.justgiving.com/fundraising/edna-maciver
