Daredevil Francesca will take the plunge for Canine Partners

Fearless Francesca Moore will plunge 10,000 feet through the clouds to raise £450 for Canine Partners, an assistance dog charity which transforms the lives of people with disabilities.

Canine Partners trains dogs to perform tasks such as opening and closing doors, undressing, pressing buttons, retrieving items, unloading washing machines, taking card and cash from ATMs and other everyday tasks that disabled people find difficult, painful or impossible to do for themselves.

Daredevil Francesca, 18, from Mayland, Chelmsford, said: “I’ve been looking for something adventurous to do and now not only have I found one to do, I can raise money for a truly amazing charity!”

Francesca, a Writtle College student, will jump in tandem out of a plane while harnessed to the front of a fully qualified instructor to raise money for the Charity on Monday 28 March at Maidstone.

To donate to Francesca’s brave fundraising effort visit www.justgiving.com/Francesca-Moore5 .

Stephanie Flower, from Essex, who has progressive hereditary spastic paraparesis and relies on her canine partner Elmo, said: “Each canine partner is trained in a large number of commands, but when they are finally paired off with their partners, they undergo training for that person’s specific needs.

“Elmo pulls me to a sitting position in bed, picks up my crutches, raises and lowers the footplates on my wheelchair and stairlift, pulls the washing basket though the house and much more. Having a canine partner allows me to be more independent and means I don’t have to rely on family members to help me all the time.”

If you are interested in taking part in a challenge like this in aid of Canine Partners then contact our Events and Challenges Coordinator Holly Bryan on 01730 716013 or email hollyb@caninepartners.org.uk.