One giant leap

Daredevil home care support worker Karen Keen will take one giant leap for the Alzheimer’s Society in her latest fundraising exploit.

Inspired by clients she helps through her work with Caremark Redcar and Cleveland, Karen, 61, will be taking part in a tandem skydive from 10,000 feet over Peterlee, Co Durham.

The jump on August 2 will see Karen reach speeds of 120mph in the descent.

“I’ve always tried to keep myself fit but the main thing is to have nerves of steel,” said Karen. “My husband Mike is my biggest supporter and back-up crew and he’s more nervous than me.”

Karen’s fundraising efforts began in 2008 when she took up running and completed the Great North Run raising money for Epilepsy Research in memory of her daughter who had tragically died from a fatal fit aged just 10. Karen has since completed a number of runs including the London Marathon and has dug out the running shoes again to improve fitness ahead of the skydive.

“It’s good to keep active and having a target in mind helps to motivate,” said Karen. “I had thought about doing another marathon but then saw the Alzheimer’s Society was looking for fundraising skydivers. Through my work in home care support I see a lot of people with dementia and Alzheimer’s and it’s a really good cause.”

To support Karen and the work of the society you can visit her Just Giving page.