AN EAST Yorkshire woman is preparing for a tandem skydive to raise money for charity, writes Dan Bean.

Jo McDonough hopes to perform the jump at Hibaldstow airfield, in Lincolnshire, in July, to raise money for suicide prevention charity Papyrus.

“I lost my husband Chris to suicide last year and am hoping to do the jump on the one-year anniversary,” said Jo, 26.

“I’m hoping to raise awareness of a subject which seems to be such a taboo, and try to prevent other people going through what I went through.”

Jo runs the Duke of York pub at Gate Helmsley, near Stamford Bridge, and will be jumping with a friend.

“I run the pub with my mum, Dee, and have three sons to look after, so I don’t have much time to volunteer with charities,” Jo said.

“I’m hoping to raise money for Papyrus, and highlight the great work they do in helping people with emotional problems before it’s too late,” she said.

Papyrus is a voluntary organisation committed to the prevention of suicide in the young and the promotion of mental health and emotional wellbeing.

Anne Parry, the charity’s chairwoman, said: “It is wonderful to see young people like Joanne energetically fundraising to support their peers.”

For more information, phone Papyrus in confidence on 0800 068 4141, or visit www.papyrus-uk.org