A FURNESS woman diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease 12 years ago will fulfil a lifelong dream of performing a skydive at the weekend.

Sheila Hopkins, from Ulverston, is doing a tandem skydive at Cark Airfield, Flookburgh, to celebrate her 80th birthday and to raise £2,000 for Parkinson's UK.

"Doing a skydive it's something that I've always wanted to do, since I was really young," said Mrs Hopkins. "Everybody thinks I'm mad but I want to do it, that's it."

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Mrs Hopkins was encouraged to take up the challenge on Sunday by her granddaughter.

"I'm really looking forward to it, but let's see how I feel when it's actually the time to jump out of the plane," said Mrs Hopkins.

Her husband, Michael, said: "My wife absolutely amazes me. She has amazed me since the day we met. She is a wonderful lady.

"I'm so incredibly proud of her. She hasn't let something like Parkinson's to stop her from living life to the fullest."

So far Mrs Hopkins has raised more than £1,400, and hopes to raise as much as possible.

Paul Jackson-Clark, Director of Fundraising at Parkinson’s UK, said: “Thank you to Sheila for signing up to skydive for us, a fantastic way to mark her 80th birthday, I hope she really enjoys the experience.

“As the UK’s Parkinson’s research and support charity we’re leading the way to find better treatments and a cure for the 127,000 people living with Parkinson’s across the UK, but our work wouldn’t be possible without the determination of fundraisers like Sheila.”

Visit Mrs Hopkins' fundraising page at: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Sheila-Hopkins