Like the Canadian geese that have made Kings Pond their home, a campaigner from Alton is taking to the skies in a great leap for the much-loved beauty spot.

Estelle Christmas is taking an awareness campaign to great heights as she’s signed up for a sponsored parachute jump in aid of Kings Pond Preservation Society.

While Alton Town Council has plans for the body’s immediate and medium-term future - suggestions include dredging, creating a Task & Finish group and opening the sluice gate to change the pond to a wetland - there’s still plenty of uncertainty about its future.

So Estelle has decided to raise awareness through action with a jump from 10,000 feet above Wiltshire later in August for a town landmark very close to her heart.

“Kings Pond holds numerous personal memories for me,” said Estelle, who fears the current landscape could be lost.

“I was taken there on school trips, with clipboard in hand, eagerly identifying and sketching the wide variety of bird species that call the pond home.

“In later years, though, Kings Pond become a place of solace for my late father, who struggled with his mental health.

“On difficult days he would walk around the pond to calm his mind and it brought him peace.

“We now have a bench there in his memory, so the idea that spaces so deeply cherished by loved ones could be lost is truly beyond comprehension.”

Estelle’s fundraising idea was inspired by the pond’s wildlife and how its birds enjoy the freedom of the skies above.

She added: “Kings Pond is a beautiful and deeply valued natural space that provides a rich habitat.

“It’s a place where workers often enjoy lunch breaks, older residents bring their grandchildren, and where young people walk together around it.

“It’s more than just a pond, it’s a community haven.”

The KPPS is a resident-led body which is dedicated to ensuring the pond remains a large body of open water on the River Wey. They hope Estelle’s jump will raise awareness of their ambitions and the pond’s future, with many seemingly unaware of how it could change over the coming years.

A spokesperson said: “The fact that someone is willing to jump from a plane to highlight the worries we share demonstrates the esteem in which the pond is held.

“Vast numbers of residents are passionate about the space, but we sadly feel their views have been ignored or dismissed.

“But more worryingly, there are still countless people who are unaware the pond is at risk of being lost in its current form.

“So we hope Estelle’s efforts will go a great way to share the concerns we have.”

The spokesperson added: “Whilst the society acknowledge that ATC purport to be considering multiple options, members are concerned at the quality, integrity and accuracy of information which has been presented.’

“Having engaged industry specialists of our own these fears have been realised with our experts highlighting numerous concerns.”

To sponsor Estelle visit https:/www.gofundme.com/jump-for-kings-pond