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Grandfather, 74, to join family’s charity skydive

“I must admit I was a bit surprised but really pleased,” said Deborah Judah, who has stage four bowel cancer. “It means we have three generations jumping together.

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Deborah Judah was a little taken aback when her 74-year-old father volunteered to jump out of a plane with her to raise money for Bowel Cancer UK.

Ms Judah, who has stage four bowel cancer, decided she wanted to do a skydive for the charity and was pleased when her three sons said they would do it with her.

However, not wanting to be left out, her father, Melvyn Judah, suggested he would join them in the challenge.

“I must admit I was a bit surprised but really pleased,” she said. “It means we have three generations jumping together.

“I think my dad was inspired by my brother-in-law’s father, who did one last year.

“He was never really an adventurous man but I think he didn’t want to be left out. He is fit and healthy. I guess we will see on the day what happens.”

The three generations will jump in tandem, free-falling at 120mph from an aircraft at 10,000 feet on October 15 to raise funds for the charity.

Despite chemotherapy and multiple surgeries on her bowel, Ms Judah’s cancer has spread to her liver.

She said: “I am determined to make more people aware of the disease and raise much needed funds for the cause.

“More than 44 people die from bowel cancer every day in the UK. It is the nation’s second biggest cancer killer.

“But it shouldn’t be. It’s treatable and curable, especially if diagnosed early.”

The mother, who will jump alongside her sons David, 21, Reuben, 19, and Ethan, 17, is scared of heights, but is determined to make a difference.

“Anything I can do to raise funds for the life-saving work of Bowel Cancer UK has to be a good thing, as new research can help to find new treatments which will further extend my life.

“So far, I’m managing to work alongside having treatment but it is not easy.”

Other members of her family have decided to support the team of jumpers from the ground and will be cheering them on for a safe landing.

Leanne Richards, events manager for Bowel Cancer UK, said: “We are very proud to have Deborah and her family skydiving for us; it’s an amazing challenge.

“For us, it means we can continue with our vital work of saving lives, enabling research and improving the quality of life for all those affected by bowel cancer.”

The family has raised more than £5,000 so far.

To donate: www.justgiving.com/companyteams/Judahs

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