A TOTAL of 24 people will face their fears and jump out of a plane 13,000 feet up to raise money for Charlotte Nott.

Six-year-old Charlotte, from Cowley, had the lower part of her arms and legs amputated in 2010 after contracting meningitis, an illness caused by inflammation to the lining of the brain.

Now her family are constantly trying to raise money to pay for the prosthetic legs Charlotte needs to walk.

The Horspath CofE Primary School pupil needs a new set every three to six months as she grows.

Her mum Jenny Daniels said: “It’s so hard to raise money all the time. We have a lot of support and we’re really grateful, but it’s hard.

“Members of the public don’t understand why we’re fundraising, they assume her legs are paid for, and don’t realise we have to pay for them every time.”

Now Miss Daniels, 32, is hoping a group skydive this summer will raise the £6,000 needed for Charlotte’s next set of limbs. She said: “The money will go for a new set of legs for her, so £6,000 to cover that would be the best outcome.

“We don’t know when she’ll need them, she could have a growth spurt at any time, but she’ll definitely need a new pair by the end of the year.”

Craig Wiseman, from Chinnor, one of the fundraisers, will be doing his first skydive.

The 28-year-old prison nurse said: “I’ve never done anything like this before, but I’ve done two half marathons for Charlotte before. She inspires me to go out of my comfort zone.

“I’ve raised just over £200 so far, but I want to get more than £350.”

With 24 people taking part in the jump, each person needs to raise £250 to pay for the new legs.

Miss Daniels, who is also mum to George, four, and Libby, two, said: “We had nine people do it last year.

“I had two different groups approach me independently to suggest it, and so we just put them together.

“This time it’s more coordinated. It’s a mix of old supporters and new people doing things to help us.

“It’s a nice thing because it’s an amazing achievement for them, and it raises money for us.”

While the skydivers will be flying high, Charlotte is not.

Following three operations for a bone infection last year, she has developed nerve tissue growth in both of her legs.

Miss Daniels, who lives on Brasenose Driftway, said: “Charlotte’s a bit up and down with her walking, she’s got problems after her operations last year. It’s nerve damage and it’s affecting her because she’s not as comfortable.

“We’re all just persevering and struggling at the moment.”

The skydive will be on Monday, August 25 at the Hinton Skydiving Centre, Brackley, near Bicester.


 

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