Daredevil Carnoustie woman Nan O’Rourke may have turned 70 last month but she is determined her age will not stop her from pulling off a special stunt in an attempt to change the lives of two local girls.
Touched by the plight of two-year-olds Ayley and Chloe Hirsch who have cerebral palsy and face a life of immobility unless their parents can raise the £80,000 needed to send them to the US for surgery she wanted to do something to help.
When she heard their father Frazer was organising a sponsored skydive in St Andrews to mark their third birthday on June 26, she asked the family if she could participate.
“It’s a great cause but it’s such a big thing to raise all that money to get them over to America for the operation,” said Nan.
“I thought I would probably be able to get quite a lot of sponsorship if I took part in the skydive as I know my friends from church will be so good at helping out.
“To think of the difference the operation would make to those little girls’ lives is just unbelievable. I would just love to see their wee faces when they walked for the first time.
“It’s just a pleasure for me to be a part of something that could make them so happy.”
Nan is no stranger to raising money for charity just last year she took part in her first Race for Life in aid of Cancer Research at the age of 69. She also goes to the gym at least three times a week and swims regularly.
“I’ve always liked keeping myself active and I really enjoy keeping fit. I’ll be building myself up for the jump now and I think I’m really going to enjoy it.”
As well as Nan’s husband Owen and daughter Lynn, the skydivers will be cheered on by Ayley and Chloe, their mother Averil Fleming and six-year-old sister Lilly.
Some 14 participants have confirmed their interest, meaning that if six more people sign up, the couple will have achieved their target.
Frazer said, “I did a skydive two or three years ago to raise money for my wrestling club and it was just an amazing experience. We’re hoping that altogether we can raise £5000 because it is a really good way to get sponsorship and it will be a nice way to celebrate the girls’ birthday.
“But I couldn’t believe it when Averil told me there was a 70-year-old woman wanting to join in it’s unbelievable, especially when I think of how I felt before I did one.
“You’re up there in the plane and you just don’t know what to expect so it’s amazing that she’s doing this to help us.”You can support the Ayley and Chloe fund-raising drive by making a donation at www.justgiving.com/Ayley-Chloe-Skydive