A veterinary nurse from Holsworthy has signed up for a skydive to raise money for a pet charity -while marking her recovery from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Bridie Head, who works at Penbode Vets in Holsworthy, will be doing the tandem sky-dive on September 30 at Dunkeswell Aerodrome near Honiton. 

She will be jumping out of a plane at 15,000ft in aid of the Holsworthy, Bideford & Okehampton branch of Cats Protection, and hopes to raise at least £400.

Bridie and her mother Elaine, who volunteers as branch coordinator and homing officer, have fostered hundreds of cats and kittens for Cats Protection, and Bridie also supports the charity in her nursing role at Penbode Vets. 

The veterinary practice has a close association with the branch and treats sick cats in the charity’s care as well as providing preventative healthcare, such as vaccinating and neutering strays. 

As well as raising money for the charity, Bridie wanted to take on the challenge of the skydive to mark her recovery from PTSD.

She said: “I had a nasty horse riding accident in 2019 and had to have plastic surgery and take three months out of my veterinary nurse training to recover. I was left with extreme anxiety and the world became a very scary place for me. Getting into a car terrified me, even though my accident didn’t involve cars.

“I was extremely shocked when I was diagnosed with PTSD because I thought it was something that happened to soldiers who fought in wars, but it can be triggered by any stressful or frightening event. 

“Since then, I’ve worked really hard on improving my mental health and overcoming my fears, and I wanted to challenge myself to do something that will prove just how far I’ve come. The opportunity to do the skydive came up and I thought it would be a great way to raise money for Cats Protection. 

“Jumping out of a plane will be a massive deal for me but I’m determined to be brave and I’ll be spurred on by the fact I’m doing this for such an incredible charity that does amazing things to improve the welfare of cats in our area.”

To support Bridie visit her Just Giving page: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/BridieHead