A brave lady from Kings Heath, who has a muscle wasting disease, took to the sky in August 2006, when she jumped out of plane to raise money for a charity close to her heart. Victoria Barr, 24, a Procurement Project Assistant, has limb girdle muscular dystrophy and decided to set herself the challenge of raising £5,000 for the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign. So she chose the most challenging way of raising money for someone with a muscle wasting condition and took part in a tandem parachute jump. Victoria in front of the plane Victoria completed a 10,000ft tandem parachute jump and freefell for the initial 5,000ft, reaching speeds of 120mph. Not only did she decide to make the jump herself but she also encouraged another 13 brave friends to join her and her siblings; two sisters and brother! Prior to the event, Victoria said, “Even though I have limb girdle muscular dystrophy I still live a very independent life and try not to let the condition limit me."

"Even though I have limb girdle muscular dystrophy I still live a very independent life and try not to let the condition limit me"

"Taking part in this parachute jump will be a massive challenge but that is the main reason I am so keen to do it. I hope, together with family and friends, to raise £5,000 for the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign which leads the fight against muscle disease, by funding care, support and information for people with conditions like mine.”

Victoria’s brother, Matt Barr, said “As a way of showing support to both Victoria and the charity, my sisters and I decided we wanted to share the experience with her, and there was no better way than to jump with her.”