Soaring high for charity

Rebecca McCrea took part in a tandem parachute jump with the Wild Geese in Scarva earlier this month.

The jump was the thrilling climax to the 19 year old’s charity fundraising efforts for the Hospice which she started in the spring time this year.

Rebecca said: “It was one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences and I would recommend everyone should do it.

“I was nervous before the jump. It was an hour long drive to the site and that made it all the more worse, but it was thrilling - one of those things you have to do before you die.”

Setting herself a target of £1,000, the business student raised an incredible £4,200 for the charity which she presented to the Glengormley-based organisation this week.

Rebecca chose the charity in memory of her father James who was treated by the Hospice prior to his death 14 years ago.

Rebecca continued: “The Hospice provide an incredible service and I was delighted to be able to raise so much for the charity - it was quite overwhelming the support I received.”

Throughout her fundraising efforts Rebecca held two coffee mornings and a raffle with the help of her mum Angela Greer, family Jane Beggs, Rosemarie Greer and close family friend Fiona White.

Rebecca added: “I can’t thank everyone enough for all the help they gave me, it was fantastic and I couldn’t believe it when I raised so much

“For the raffle I printed off a thousand tickets and never thought I would sell them all, but I sold 2,000 in the end and you would not believe the work that has to go into a coffee morning. But it was all worthwhile in the end.”

Rebecca thanked sponsors WDT Holdings, Greenisland, McBurney’s Transport, Hoy and Crowe Auto Electrics and GK White Electrical services.

For donations to the raffle she thanked Helen’s Fruit and Vegatables Carnmoney, Maud’s Ballyclare, Tullyglass Hotel, Andy’s Stores Monkstown, Cedar Tree Ballyclare, Chop Shop Doagh, Shek Hair and Beauty Larne, McAtamney’s Ballymena, Sammy White and J&K Components Ballymena.

She added: “I would like to thank all who gave donations, bought raffle tickets and who supported the coffee mornings.”