Lauren takes to the skies

The eight year old diagnosed with spina bifida as a baby is staging a sponsored glide at Ringmer near Lewes, today (Tuesday) at 11am and hopes her effort will raise 1,000 for the spina bifida charity, SASBAH.

So far she is pleased that 500 has been pledged and she has the backing of Bexhill MP Greg Barker and Rother District Chairman Joanne Gadd.

Mum Linda has helped her plan the event having started off by approaching the East Sussex Gliding Club to find out what a sponsored glide would entail.

Linda, of Whychurst Gardens, said: "I started to make inquiries - was Lauren too young, or if there was an age limit, and there was no problem - it was just about whether she could physically get into the glider.

"Then we thought she could do it for her charity SASBAH, and it has gone from there. We are up to about 500 and most of that is personal but we do have two companies on board now. Lauren has done her safety checks, so we know she can get in, see out, reach the pedals, and she can put her parachute on.

Linda commented: "I am excited, but obviously a little bit nervous...I had a few concerns, then someone said to me - you are brave, I wouldn't let my daughter go up. But it is pretty much safer than anything else you can imagine - all the pilots are retired airline pilots - so I talked myself out of any worries I might have had. Lauren wants to do it - she is excited about it. And as I said a long time ago, I could have gone two ways with her...I could have spent my life being unhappy and sheltering her, or I could bring her out and have a good life together. We have lots of fun, even if we still don't know what's around the corner."

Lauren is a pupil at Netherfield school and is a talented singer and dancer who loves to perform and has appeared in productions from Eastbourne to London.

She is looking forward to her glide and thinks it will be "fab".

"Lots of people will be watching me," said the girl who loves to perform on stage because it makes her feel "free".

"Lots of my close friends and family will be there."

Anyone who would like to sponsor Lauren in her glide can call the family on 07804842154, or write to them at 7 Whychurst Gardens, Bexhill. They can also be contacted via email on [email protected].