Invergordon couple's parachute plunge will honour memory of sister and help suicide support group
FOUR Ross-shire daredevils will be taking part in a tandem skydive next month in aid of a local suicide support group.
Lynne Laird and husband Alexander, both of the High Street in Invergordon, will be joined by Robert Begg and Greg Wilson, both of Alness, for the jump at Strathallan Airfield in Perth and Kinross on Sunday, October 20.
They will step out of an aircraft flying at an altitude of 10,000ft and, during the freefall, will hurtle towards the ground at speeds of up to 120mph.
Lynne said they were raising money for James's Support Group in memory of her sister Sarah who took her own life four years ago.
She said: "James's Support Group has been fantastic. It has been really good to talk with other people that have gone through the same experience as yourself. It has been a big help."
They were originally due to do the jump at the end of August but it had to be postponed because of bad weather.
Lynne said: "I didn't volunteer for this – actually my daughter gifted it to me last year as a Christmas present. I thought 'why? What are you trying to do to me?'. I am just trying not to think about it right now."
Patrick Mullery, who runs James's Support Group, welcomed their efforts and said: "Our group is self-funded, and with help from Lynne and others we are able to attend training courses and seminars to strengthen our knowledge and confidence in helping all who contact us for support wherever they are in their journey of survival."
The group were at this month's shinty final in Fort William and will be at the home matches of Ross County Football Club on October 5 and Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC on October 19.
Patrick said: "October historically sees the start of when suicide occurrences increase and we must do as much as we can in this winter period of short daylight hours."
So far Lynne has raised £1440 of her initial £1500 target. To make a contribution visit: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/lynne-laird
