A YOUNG thrill-seeker has taken a 15,000ft plunge to raise valuable money for the lifeboat station which meant everything to her grandfather.

Rachel Greenwood collected �1,000 for Hemsby Inshore when she made the death-defying jump during a charity skydive at Sibson airfield in Peterborough.

The 24-year old was inspired to take the leap in memory of her grandfather, Tony Bean, who helped found the lifeboat organisation more than 30 years ago.

Mr Bean, who is survived by his wife Elizabeth, had his ashes scattered at the North Scroby buoy - close to the station- where he was often dumped out at sea during his lifeboat training.

Miss Greenwood, a civil engineering worker from Cambridge, said she just felt the need to do something for her grandfather after he passed away in November.

“I believe it is one of the biggest donations they have had in a long time, which makes me really proud,” she said.

“My granddad loved that place, so it is nice that he gets his wish and we can go down and visit him.

“We often go down to the beach to let off balloons in his memory.”

The charity sky dive was the second time that Miss Greenwood had decided to throw herself out of a plane for the thrill of the fall.

She added: “I did the skydive about two years ago and my granddad was so pleased I managed it.

“So when I was thinking about something to do to raise money I decided that had to be it.”

Hemsby Inshore received 13,000 emergency call outs to aid people in danger in the past 35 years.

Volunteers rely on one lifeboat to carry out their work, which includes covering a 12 mile stretch of sea from Hemsby and 125 miles of the Norfolk Broads.

The lifeboat station is funded by donations from the general public.

Miss Greenwood presented a �1,000 cheque to the station last Sunday.