A CLERGYWOMAN will be leaving her congregation thousands of feet below as she takes on a daredevil skydive to support a cause close to her heart.

Rev Fran Battin, from Harvington, near Evesham, is taking on a tandem skydive in aid of the Alzheimer’s Society.

“I am definitely not an adrenalin addict, but for several months the idea of doing a tandem sky dive has been haunting me.," she explained.

"As the days have gone on I have talked about it and researched it online.

"In a mad impulsive moment, I booked a charity jump and I hope to be in the sky mid-September.

"I have several friends who are experiencing the first stages of dementia and my husband work was with sufferers of Alzheimer’s Disease, so it is logical for me to want to support the Alzheimer’s Disease Society.

"When your brain no longer works normally it is very frightening and can be dangerous.

"Imagine forgetting where you live or letting a saucepan boil dry. A close friend is so afraid of forgetting the names of her sons that she has had them tattooed onto her arm. Now she will never forget!"

Rev Battin will be carrying out her jump on Saturday, September 16.

She said: "A sky dive jump is totally out of character for me and the only sense I can make out of the desire to experience one is that during the fall you have no choice but to put all your trust in another human being, and all your faith in a protecting loving God.

"You have one life, one chance of experiencing all it has to offer.

"If you have a dream, pursue it and grab opportunities as and when they come."

Anyone who would like to support the challenge can donate online at everyclick.com/franbattin.