The William Aldridge Foundation

Mum's leap of faith for service fund
By Paul Ferguson

The Herefordshire mother of the youngest soldier to die in Afghanistan is teaming up with one of Britain's most seriously injured paratroopers to help two military charities.
Lucy Aldridgeattempt a fund-raising skydive with Ben Parkinson next month in memory of her 18 year old fallen son.
The Bredenbury mother will make the leap above Wiltshire on 25th September for the William Aldridge Foundation.
Proceeds from the tandem skydive will also be split with organiser Pilgrimbandits in support of The Richard Hunt Foundation.
Miss Aldridge will be joined by several amputees on the flight from RAF Netheravon, Home of the Army Parachute Association.
The most notable is paratrooper Lance Bombardier Parkinson, who lost both legs and the use of one arm following a blast in September 2006.
The Yorkshire soldier spent the following Christmas in a coma and didn't speak for months after suffering brain damage among other serious injuries.
Miss Aldridge said it was an honour and a privilege to participate in the jump, but she's not relishing the challenge.
"It's something I've never done before. I've got a problem with heights and also get claustrophobic," said Miss Aldridge.
"This is about pushing yourself beyond your own personal comfort zone to raise money for injured personnel."

People can make donations at www.bmycharity.com/V2/LucyAldridge or by visiting www.williamaldridgefoundation.org.uk

Meanwhile, supporters have also rescheduled a fund-raising trek up Africa's highest mountain to the end of the year.
A former colleague of the soldier will be joining the Killimanjaro 2010 Appeal Climb, headed by William's girlfriend Zeta Price.