DAREDEVIL fundraising champion Wendy Close jumped 11,000 ft in aid of a charity which supported Fred Dibnah in his final days.

The 62-year-old, from Astley Bridge, took part in the parachute jump in Cockerham, Lancashire, in aid of The Christie Hospital in Manchester, where Fred received treatment before he died from cancer on November 6, 2004.

This was not the first fundraiser Wendy has organised in honour of Fred — she previously raised thousands of pounds selling badges for the Fred Dibnah Appeal to pay for a statue of the famous steeplejack in Bolton.

But her latest challenge, she says, was far more surreal than anything she had done before.

She said: “When I was sat on the edge of the plane I was worried I’d be there for five minutes but within a couple of seconds I was off.

"It was surreal seeing the clouds looking really fluffy and the fields below — I felt like I was floating.

"I’ve really enjoyed the whole experience. I was pleased people across Bolton were so kind and helped me raised money for such a worthy cause.”

Kind-hearted Wendy has so far raised £2,000 for The Christie and is still collecting sponsorship. She has received more than 500 donations, raised money by holding collections at supermarkets in the town centre and selling pin badges which she designed herself.