A SKYDIVE surprise was set up for a Burnham woman as she plunged from 15,000 feet on her 18th birthday to raise money for charity.

Lauren Chappell turned 18 this month – but as well as treating her to a restaurant meal, Lauren’s mum Kerry and her mum’s fiancé, Martyn Ellis, had a surprise in store.

Kerry said: “We took her out for dinner on her birthday and told her at the restaurant what she would be doing the next morning.

“I was winding her up – I think she thought she was going to a museum for her birthday. All she knew was she had to be up early so no heavy drinking the night before.

“It was quite funny to see her face. She was in shock and very excited.”

Lauren, who is studying for her A-Levels at Bridgwater College, jumped from the plane at Dunkeswell Aerodrome in East Devon on May 5 where she fell at a speed of 200mph.

Kerry and Martyn, a history teacher at King Alfred School, have far exceeded their fundraising expectations for Cancer Research UK. Kerry said: “I was only expecting to raise about £100 but so far the total has exceeded £600 and is still rising.

“I would like to thank all the customers at Rectory Stores in Burnham where I work, for all their fantastic contributions, as well as friends, family and my fiancé’s work colleagues at King Alfred School.”

And although it was a nerve-racking experience for Lauren, it was one that she relished.

Kerry added: “The first thing she said to me after the jump was “wow, I need to do it again”. Rather her than me!”