A MEMBER of the NSPCC team in Swindon has celebrated 14 years with the charity by doing a skydive over Wanborough last Wednesday.

Lisa Strode, team manager at the NSPCC centre in Old Town, jumped out of a plane and landed on Redlands Air Field to raise £635 for the children’s charity.

She has been working at the NSPCC since 2003, first as a social worker and children’s service practitioner before being promoted to the position of team manager earlier this year.

Lisa said: “At the same time I was promoted, the skydive was advertised and I felt that I just had to do it and seize the opportunity to raise money for a charity that means a great deal to me.

“Working with children and protecting children is what I do and what I will always do.

"I am a mum and ever since I was a child myself, at the age of 14, I knew that I had to be a social worker and support children and protect children less fortunate than myself.

“I am so proud to work for the NSPCC and I did the skydive for personal reasons as well as supporting the charity that I work for and believe in wholeheartedly.

"I am incredibly grateful for all the generous sponsorship and wonderful support".

She added: “I was a very proud mum with my children watching and the free-fall section was the best – very exhilarating."

Caroline Morgan, NSPCC community fundraising manager for Swindon, said: “I’d like to thank Lisa for doing the skydive to raise money for a charity close to both of us.

“Lisa works with children and families in Swindon and Wiltshire and was inspired to fundraise for us because of her work.

“We rely on fundraising to keep our services going, including the Speak Out Stay Safe programme, Childline and the services run from the Swindon service centre.”

For more information on fundraising for the NSPCC in Swindon or Wiltshire contact Caroline Morgan on caroline.morgan@nspcc.org.uk.