A close friend of Lower Earley lifeguard Shaun Biggs is taking part in a charity skydive to “be closer to her pal.”
Vanessa Bell needs to raise more than £500 to take part in the 10,000ft skydive in honour of the 21-year-old Loddon Valley Leisure Centre worker, who died on New Year’s Day.
Shaun, of Swepstone Close, Lower Earley, had been celebrating New Year’s Eve with friends when he was taken from Kingswood Hotel in Boy Hill Avenue, Maidenhead, to Wrexham Park Hospital in Slough at around 4.55am on New Year’s Day. He died later in hospital.
Shaun’s dad Peter explained: “It was almost immediately after Shaun died Vanessa decided she wanted to do this in memory of Shaun. She said jumping out of a plane is probably as close as she could get to Shaun as she would be in the clouds.
“She said Shaun was such a special person she wanted to do something in his memory.”
Following an inquest into Shaun’s death in July, Berkshire coroner Peter Bedford concluded he died from Sudden Adult Death (SAD) syndrome.
Shaun’s family and Miss Bell have now joined together to raise money for CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young) in his memory.
To take part in the accelerated freefall, Miss Bell needs to raise at least £533 in sponsorship.
Mr Biggs continued: “The reason she is doing this is raise awareness of SADS and awareness and the risks of drinking energy drinks.”
On the night Shaun died he had be drinking Vodka and Red Bull and his family strongly believe the energy drink was a main contributor to his death.
Of drinking energy drinks project manager Mr Biggs said: “It’s like playing Russian Roulette with your life.”
Mr Biggs, 52, is also organising other charity events to raise money for CRY including a sponsored head shave and disco.
The disco to celebrate Shaun’s life will be held at Earley Home Guard Club in Woodley on January 8th.
Tickets are limited to 150 people and information on how to get them will be confirmed nearer the time.
to sponsor Miss Bell’s skydive visit http://www.justgiving.com/shaun-biggs or fill in a sponsorship form at Loddon Valley Leisure Centre.
