An Ottery woman is putting aside her fear of heights to take on a charity skydive in memory of her best friend.
Charlotte Vincent is trying to raise £1,000 for Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY). Her friend Paige Moth died last year, aged just 21, from sudden adult death syndrome.
The pair were born 13 days apart and became friends when Charlotte moved to Ottery in 2000. They attended Ottery Primary School and The King’s School together.
Charlotte, 22, said: “She was a massive part of my life. At primary school, she chose to become a friend of mine after I started halfway through the year and didn’t know anyone. From then on, we became the best of friends - making the most amazing memories I’ve ever made.”
Following Paige’s funeral, Charlotte spoke to her family about the idea of doing a skydive.
She added: “I feel that this charity is not given enough recognition. Up until recently, I didn’t know it existed myself.
“I’m petrified of heights.”
Paige’s mum, Emma, said: “She would have thought Charlotte was mad. Paige did not do heights either, but would have been extremely proud of Charlotte. To face a fear in that way, it’s not like going up a ladder. To go and do that in memory of Paige and raise awareness, I am so very proud. I know Paige would be looking down smiling.”
The mother-of-three praised the work of the charity and its health screenings - which has helped to diagnose Paige’s sister Holly with long QT, a heart arrhythmia that is treatable by beta blockers.
The family has set up a memorial fund in Paige’s name to fund CRY’s research and health screenings and has to date raised £1,300.
Emma, of Coleridge Road, said: “To me awareness is just as important.
“Just anything that anyone can donate will go a long, long way to change that. Not many people know about the charity until they go through this type of bereavement.”
Since launching her fundraising last week, Charlotte has raised more than £100 and is hoping to hold events in the run-up to the feat. She hopes take on the skydive in April or May.
CRY works to reduce the frequency of young sudden cardiac death, supports young people diagnosed with potentially life-threatening cardiac conditions and offers bereavement support to families. The charity also promotes and develops heart screening programmes and funds medical research.
To find out more or to donate to Charlotte’s fundraiser visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Charlotte-Vincent2
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