Banbury pensioner celebrates 80th birthday with a 12,000ft skydive in aid of hospice charity

A daring Banbury pensioner found a high-octane way to celebrate her 80th birthday when she took part in a tandem jump from 12,000 feet in aid of Katharine House.

Octogenarian Ronnie Langdon-Gray, who turned 80 on April 22, jumped from a plane on Monday May 1, raising more than £2,500 for the hospice.

Ronnie, who is a long-standing volunteer at the hospice, wanted to do something memorable to celebrate her landmark birthday, and raise money for the charity that is so close to her heart.

She said: “It’s surreal, I can’t believe I actually did it!”

Ronnie, who has volunteered at the hospice for many years as a receptionist, on the ward and with fundraising, said she was delighted to have raised so much money for Katharine House.

You can make a donation through her JustGiving page here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ronnieat80

Ronnie added: “People are so generous, which is amazing when you think how everyone is having to count their pennies at the moment. There are so many deserving charities out there, but Katharine House is especially deserving. I have been associated with the hospice for so long and have seen the effect it has on people.

“Lots of my friends have been inpatients here, and through volunteering on the ward I have seen how well people are cared for. It’s not just the patient that gets support, Katharine House considers care as a whole. It’s such a lovely place, and who knows when you or your loved ones might need it.”