A GRANDMOTHER famous for her charity challenges reached a new high when she skydived for Prospect Hospice on Sunday. 

Royal Wootton Bassett's Kate Crutcher tested her adrenaline with a visit to Go Skydive in Salisbury to complete challenge 59 in pursuit of her target of 70.

Kate, 72, said: “It got more and more nerve wracking as the day went on.

“There were a few weather and technical issues.

“We arrived at 9am but couldn’t actually do the skydive until 3pm.

“It was quite scary and when I did go up, with my arthritic knees, my legs got quite stiff.

“When it was time to stick the legs out, I couldn’t get one out.

“We did a few turns in the sky which made me quite ill.

“In fact I was ill when I got back to base but I fortunately didn’t do anything on my instructor.”

Kate completed her second skydive and is in no rush to do another one anytime soon.
Her first was to celebrate her son Colin getting the all-clear from cancer.

Colin has since died, but Kate pays tribute to him and her late husband David by completing challenges such as these.

She said: “It was quite frightening but I truly admire the instructors as they handled it so well.

“I’m glad it’s over, put it that way, but I’m proud I achieved that. 

“My family are very proud but think I’m bonkers, which is probably correct.

“They are happy I’ve achieved what I’ve achieved for the charities which is great.

“Hi Colin, I’m doing this for you.”

Kate said Colin spent time at Prospect Hospice before his death.

She said: “It’s very important, it really is, they do so much and were there for my son.

“They do a lot in our community, they are there for everyone and it makes such a difference.

“They’ve been starved of income over the last 18 months and they rely on people’s goodwill.

“So it’s important for people to be aware and raise funds for them.

“It’s not really about me, it’s about the tiny bit I can do to help other people really.”

Kate’s next challenge is much less of a thrill-seeking experience. For number 60, she is setting up an electric fitness bike.

She said: “It’s a bit of a challenge as I’m not very good with instructions and not very practical.

“My kids have said this can be a mini challenge.

“I’m still sat here looking at it thinking how do I put the last pieces together but we’ll get there.”