Penryn student jumping for dementia (From Falmouth Packet)

Penryn student jumping for dementia

9:10am Sunday 17th July 2011 in Falmouth/Penryn

A student at Tremough Campus in Penryn is taking a leap of faith to raise money for a dementia charity in honour of her granddad.

Katie Armstrong, aged 22, is studying law at the University of Exeter’s Cornwall Campus and she is trying to raise £600 for Dementia UK through her skydive to “make a real difference to the charity.”

She has lost all her previous grandparents to dementia and was particularly hurt by the death of her granddad because they were particularly close, she said.

“Seeing my granddad in this condition was horrible,” she said.

“I love him very much and I know that he would be proud. I am also terrified of this skydive yet I know it is big enough to turn some heads and create some awareness. “Dementia is not a well known disease and it needs a lot more credit and attention, a cure hasn't been found yet but there is hope.”

Katie, who is originally from Surrey, plans to jump next month and is appealing for support to help reach her charity total.

“I can't stress enough how this is one of the worst things to experience,” she said.

“Without your brain you are no longer you, you are no longer living life just existing.”

To help Katie, or make a donation, visit: http://www.justgiving.com/Skatie-Armstrong