WHEN Alison Hancock opened her 50th birthday present from her husband Martin she could have been forgiven for hardly breaking into a smile. In fact she broke into a cold sweat! The gift was for Alison to jump from an aircraft at 13,000ft and freefall stra

WHEN Alison Hancock opened her 50th birthday present from her husband Martin she could have been forgiven for hardly breaking into a smile.

In fact she broke into a cold sweat!

The gift was for Alison to jump from an aircraft at 13,000ft and freefall strapped to an instructor at over 100mph and return to the ground, hopefully, unscathed.

After the shock had subsided Alison, of Midland Way, Henlow, decided to use the gift to raise money for Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital in London.

The hospital saved the lives of her twin daughters Elena and Emily just days after they were born with an intestinal disease.

For six years the girls, now 11 and pupils at Henlow Middle School, were constantly in the hospital for crucial surgery and even now make occasional trips back for check-ups.

"At first I thought it was hilarious buying me a skydive token. It didn't sink in right away but then I woke up in a cold sweat. I've never done anything like this before," said Alison, whose is a lecturer at Luton University.

"I just thought if I have got to do it I might as well raise money for the hospital. We owe them so much. I owe them my family.

"The day after they were born the girls were rushed by ambulance to the hospital and over the next six years underwent many operations.

"When I look back it was such a traumatic time and we nearly lost the girls on a couple of occasions.

"But their consultant, Mr David Drake, was marvellous along with his team and I look at the girls today and cannot thank the hospital enough."

A member of the Henlow Amateur Theatrical Society, Alison added: "As the days tick away and it gets closer to the jump I am getting a bit nervous.

"But now I will be making the jump for a good reason and that is to repay the hospital a great debt."

Martin and the girls will be watching from the ground as Alison makes her jump next Tuesday.

If you want to sponsor Alison you can contact her on alisonjn@btinternet.com