Schoolmate's pain inspires jump from plane

Inspired by the strength of a former schoolmate, Donnybrook resident Mandy Anderson took a life-affirming plunge from 4200 metres above Busselton earlier this month.

Mrs Anderson was a year behind Emily Parish at Santa Maria College in Perth and tracked her son Elliot’s widely publicised battle with brain cancer closely.

“I followed Elliott’s story in The West Australian when he was sick and thought his mum’s face was familiar, but it wasn’t until his passing I made the connection that Emily was in the year above me at school,” Mrs Anderson said.

“Many of my old school friends are heavily involved with fundraising and supporting Telethon Adventurers, the charity set up by Elliot’s father Rick.

“I’ve made donations to the Adventurers in the past, but when I found out Jump for a Cure would be in Busselton this year I realised it was time to step things up.”

A raffle, high tea, school dress up day and pledge to jump out of a plane helped Mrs Anderson raise almost $3000 for the Adventurers.

“Skydiving was definitely not on my bucket list, but I knew any fear I felt would be over quickly,whereas for kids and parents dealing with cancer and terminal illness that fear is with them for a lifetime,” she said.

“I lost my brother 17 years ago and I was also using the jump to inspire me to move forward in my own life.”

Mrs Anderson was one of more than 40 people who took part in Jump for a Cure.