Skydive world record attempt in memory of teenage cancer victim
FRIENDS and family of Staffordshire teenager Stephen Sutton are aiming to break a skydiving world record in his memory.
Mr Sutton died aged 19 in May last year after raising £5 million for the Teenage Cancer Trust.
He used social media to chart his three-year battle against cancer.
His loved ones are attempting to set a new record for tandem parachute jumps within 24 hours at a single venue.
His mother, Jane Sutton, was among those who threw herself out of a plane at 10,000ft in his memory and to help raise money and awareness for Teenage Cancer Trust.
“Stephen’s love
of
life
was amazing,” she said. “He was adventurous, had no fear and lived his life with no regrets.
“I hope to do him proud by taking part in the skydive.”
More than 350 daring supporters, including Mr Sutton’s brother Chris and grandmother Ann, are also taking part in the event at Lincolnshire’s Hibaldstow airfield.
Eleanor Wilkinson, of the Teenage Cancer Trust, said: “Three planes will be in constant use over 12 hours, and around 30 instructors have been drafted in from around the UK all doing around 14 jumps each, with the hope of getting over 400 people to jump – if the weather holds.
“Before Stephen passed away, he had set his heart on breaking the Guinness World Records title for the most people tandem jumping at 10,000 feet in one day.
“Stephen tried to set up the attempt, but unfortunately it could not go ahead before he passed away.”