Leaps of faith over Peterlee Parachute Centre are all for Changing Lives

Maggie McDowell and Laura Burdon took tandem dives from 10,000ft at Peterlee Parachute Centre in Shotton Colliery in aid of North East charity Changing Lives.

Maggie lives in Peterlee and works as a lecturer at Durham University’s School of Applied Social Sciences, and Laura lives in Blackhall and is a complaint handler at Hewlett Packard in Peterlee.

Maggie, who has collected clothes with the help of her students to support the cause for the last three years, said: “The work that homeless charities within the region do is inspirational - this is something I have observed first hand as part of my research for my PhD.

“I am passionate about helping homeless people and supporting homeless services where possible.

“The sky dive was very much a challenge.
“On a personal level, it was about facing my fear of heights and on a practical level, it was about raising as much money as possible for a worthwhile cause.

“Both Laura and I are extremely grateful for the support we have received so far, we are confident that we will reach our target of £1,000”

She added they need more donations to hit the total after the jump, which was rescheduled after their initial skydive was due to take place in December.

Changing Lives’ director of fund-raising, Cara Reynolds said: “Maggie’s a friend of Changing Lives because of her regular clothing collections for homeless people in the area.

“She and Laura are taking their support to a whole new level with their skydive.

“We really appreciate their courage and the support of their colleagues at the University and Hewlett Packard.

“The money they raise will help some of the North East’s most vulnerable people this winter.”

Cash can be pledged viawww.justgiving.com/Maggie-McDowellandLaura-Burdon