MARIA Bryant surpassed her role as a trustee and volunteer for Home-Start WeyWater when she took the plunge with a fundraising tandem skydive to raise £1,385 for the charity.

The mum of four, who lives in South Warnborough, near Alton, travelled to Old Sarum Airfield, near Salisbury, on September 25 to undertake a jump with GoSkydive.

Maria and her tandem partner jumped from 15,000 feet, leaving the plane and free falling for a whole minute at approximately 125mph before the parachute opened, bringing them safely to earth.

She said: “It was an absolutely terrifying experience, and I was extremely relieved when the parachute opened. I could then enjoy the journey down and getting my feet safely back on the ground!”

Speaking of her work as a volunteer for HomeStart, Maria said: “I understand first hand how challenging life can be as a mum, my four children were born within three years of each other, my last pregnancy being twins. They are now all grown aged 20, 19 and 18 respectively.

“I first volunteered for HomeStart Richmond upon Thames when I lived in London and when we moved out of London five years ago, one of the first things I did was to look for a local HomeStart to support.”

Maria has been involved with Home-Start for just over 10 years both in London and Hampshire and during that time has supported 12 families with 25 children and also worked at a weekly family group M@M where she supported many more children.

The money raised by her Skydive will be used by Home-Start WeyWater, which provides a unique service for families in the Alton and Bordon area, by training volunteers who visit families at home each week, supporting parents in situations as diverse as isolation, bereavement, multiple births, illness, disability or who are just finding parenting a struggle. Home-Start volunteers provide non-judgemental, practical and emotional support and

help build the families’ confidence and ability to cope.

Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer for Home-Start WeyWater should call 01420 473555 or e-mail office@ homestart-weywater.org.uk.