THE marketing manager of a Basingstoke indoor play centre took to the skies to raise money for a bereavement charity.

Charlene Hewlett, marketing manager at Cornerstone Nurseries and Playdays Indoor Playcentre, jumped out of a plane at 10,000ft in the name of fundraising on Sunday, 8 July.

She took on the challenge for bereavement charity Simon Says which is the nursery and play centre’s charity for the year.

Simon Says aims to support children and young people up to the age of 18 years who has had a significant person in their life who has died or is dying.

Rather than taking part in her annual sponsored run, Charlene decided to take the plunge and jump from a plane instead.

She said: “The experience was amazing and after free falling at 125mph for 30 seconds once the parachute was deployed it felt like you were standing on top of the world.

“An amazing experience raising fund for a much-needed local charity.”

Georgie Bennett, chief operations officer from Simon Says joined Charlene at the Go Sky Dive site in Salisbury for moral support.

So far, Charlene has raised more than £370.

To donate, go to uk.virginmoneygiving.com and search for ‘Charlene Hewlett’.