Skydive fundraiser teacher 'scared of flying'

A teacher is to make a fundraising skydive - despite her fear of flying.

Amber Stapleton is English lead at Southwark Primary School in Basford, Nottingham, and asked her pupils for ideas to raise money for new books - and skydiving was the favourite.

An online donation page has already surpassed the £1,000 target.

She said: "I'm less worried about jumping out of the plane than I am about getting into it."

Ms Stapleton, 31, said books were crucial for children's learning, and while the school's budget stretched to buying some, she wanted to boost its offering.

"Books can be transformative and we can't assume children have books at home," she said.

"The area has lost its public library, so these children deserve to have access to the best, up-to-date books.

"I want them to be able to borrow five or six at the same time, so they can have a mini-library at home.

"Unfortunately they are very expensive."

She is due to jump on 7 December at Langar Airfield in Nottinghamshire, and admits it is not the obvious time of year for skydiving.

She said: "I had agreed to do it and was concentrating on that challenge and I did not think about what season it was.

"OK, it will have to be safe, but I'm ready to go when they say and I'll just have to wrap up.

"There's no backing out as the kids want video evidence!"

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