MOST people planning on how to celebrate their 75th birthday might think of a meal out with family, a trip to the theatre or a relaxing weekend away – it is safe to say that Beryl Preston isn’t “most people.”

Beryl decided something slightly more unusual for her 75th birthday bash at the weekend – skydiving!

Her daughter Claire-Louise Hutchinson, of Ilminster, looked on in an amazed pride on Saturday as her beloved mum carried out the skydive at Dunkeswell on Saturday.

“I watched with tears of pride in my eyes,” said Claire-Louise. “It was just an amazing thing to do. She was completely fearless, no nerves at all – she couldn’t wait to get up there and jump.

“She’s an incredibly inspiring woman, not just to me but to everyone who knows her.”

Beryl said: “I wanted to do something a bit wild as it’s my 75th birthday and I also wanted to raise money for a great charity – School in a Bag for the Piers Simon Appeal.

“I’ve done lots of things for charity, but this is definitely one of the most daunting.”

School in a Bag is a simple solution to help poor, orphan, vulnerable and disaster-affected children throughout the world.

Each schoolbag is filled with stationery, learning resources and eating utensils that will enable a child to write, draw, colour, calculate, express themselves and learn.

School in a Bag spokesman Luke Simon said: “An education for these children could be their passport to a life out of hardship and poverty.”

Luke added: “I’m sure most people celebrating their 75th birthday would choose to keep their feet firmly on the ground, but not Beryl!

“Beryl has been a support of the charity since it started and she help to raise some money when she abseiled down Avon Gorge at the young age of 72!

“We can’t thank here enough for what she has done to help raise money and awareness of School in a Bag.”

For more information about School in a Bag – visit www.schoolinabag.org