CARING city residents will be taking to the skies this weekend in memory of a brave Crowle youngster who tragically lost her battle with cancer.
Natalie Hothi has organised a tandem skydive on Sunday (May 1) to raise cash for the Grace Kelly Ladybird Fund-raising Appeal.
The cause was launched by Crowle mum Jen Kelly who lost her four-year-old daughter Grace to an aggressive form of cancer 17 months ago.
And Jen will be joining Natalie in taking to the skies alongside Natalie’s husband Ravi, Nicole Jones and Victoria Billings.
Since the appeal launched, a staggering £60,000 has already been raised for the Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Group.
And speaking to the Observer, Jen said as well as raising cash for the cause, she hoped the appeal would raise awareness of childhood cancer.
“She went from being a happy healthy school girl to passing away just three weeks later on November 8, 2014. It’s every parent’s worst nightmare,” she said.
“Grace always wanted to fly in a plane, so on the first of May, I will be taking a photo of her to fly with me.
“It is the closest I can get to taking her in a plane.”
“Grace had a very wise head on her shoulders. She was always the one standing at the back helping a friend who had fallen over. I feel like I am carrying on her kindness.
A host of events have been held by the appeal and a ladies charity evening is being held in Bromsgrove from 7.30pm on Friday (April 29).
Admission is free and among the activities on offer will be beauty and pampering, a fudge stall, a psychic medium, women’s clothes, a raffle, a bottle tombola, jewellery, professional cakes, shopping, live entertainment, handmade crafts and, of course, a bar.
“One of the most amazing things is how the whole village has got behind us,” Jen said.
“It’s become the charity of the village, it seems like everyone is doing something in memory of Grace,” she said.
The charity’s fund-raising page can be found at
http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fund/GraceKellyLadybirdFund
For more information on the charity, visit www.gracekellyladybird.co.uk or search for gracekelly/fundraising on Facebook.
