61-year-old Jane Eccles from Cumbria has raised over £1,500 and counting forCarer Support South Lakes.
The dare devil Northern nan completed a 15,000ft skydive to raise money for her local charity. There’s no denying that free-falling at 120mph isn’t for everyone, but Jane proudly said the entire experience was “absolutely amazing”.
To mark 30 years since the start of the Carer Support South Lakes charity, and to raise some worthy funds for the Kendal-based organisation in the process, 61-year-old Jane Eccles from Flookburgh in Cumbria successfully completed her first-ever skydive by leaping from a whopping 15,000 feet.
Image: Skydive North West
If you’re unfamiliar with the charity, Carer Support South Lakes supports unpaid Carers of all ages across Cumbria, and provides them with access to information, emotional support, advocacy, financial support, and opportunities to take a much-needed break.
It’s also a charity that’s close particularly close to Jane’s heart.
The mother of two sons and three stepchildren, and grandmother of five grandchildren, volunteers to support Young Carers at the charity part time, and said she felt she “wanted to do something to highlight the important work it does”.
Jane completed the jump with local skydive company, Skydive North West, in tandem with professional skydiver Ed Roscoe at Cark Airfield in Flookburgh, and her family were out in full force to watch and support her.
Image: Skydive North West
Looking back on her thrilling experience, Jane told ITV Granada: “When we first arrived at the base, the people who had gone up earlier landed in the rain and I thought we might not get up – but the clouds broke, and we managed to do an amazing jump.
“Apparently, I was the noisiest one coming down. All the others were very serene and came down not saying anything, while I was whooping, screaming and shouting.”
Jane set up a dedicated JustGiving page for the skydive, and since taking the brave leap, has managed to raise over £1,500 and counting in donations – which she says she is “so grateful” for and “will make a huge difference”.
Image: Skydive North West
“I’m so grateful to all those people who have given money so far,” Jane continued.
“Donations, whether large or small, will make a huge difference to the charity and help it to continue its vital work with carers.”
The UK Aids Memorial Quilt is set to go on display across Wakefield this summer.
The quilt - consisting of 42 quilts and 23 individual panels, representing over 384 individuals affected by HIV and AIDS - will go on display at WX Wakefield from Thursday 4 to Sunday 7 June 2026.
All 42 quilts will be on display, with WX working in partnership with the UK AIDS Memorial Quilt Conservation Partnership.
Across the same weekend, selected individual panels will be displayed at different venues across the city including The Hepworth Wakefield, The Art House Wakefield, Theatre Royal Wakefield, Pontefract Castle and the Yorkshire Sculpture Park.
Part of the world’s largest community art project, this is a huge opportunity for the city of Wakefield. The project started in the USA back in 1985 by activist Cleve Jones, commemorating friends, family and loved ones lost to AIDS.
Individual panels were then stitched together to create larger quilts, which were shown outdoors as a form of protest to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS.
Today, the quilt stands as a crucial reminder of those who were lost and of the continuing affect that HIV and AIDS has on the people of today.
At WX Wakefield, viewing the quilt is completely free and on Friday 5 June there will be a special late night opening up until 10:30pm to view the exhibition.
And on Saturday 6 June at 2:30pm, there will be a very special and poignant reading of the names of those commemorated on the quilt.
Featured image - UK AIDS Memorial Quilt, installation view at Tate Modern, June 2025. Photo: AM Hanson
News
Leeds’ first frozen yoghurt bar is opening in Headingley this weekend
Clementine Hall
The frozen yoghurt craze is on its way to Leeds as Kefiyo is set to open in Headingley in just a few days.
It's a phenomenon that has caught the attention of the TikTok and Instagram girlies as of late, with frozen yoghurt bars popping up in Manchester and going viral online.
The ice cold sweet treat is supposedly 'healthy' and with a slogan of 'eat Clean. feel Light. live Better.' - this new spot in Leeds seems to be going down that route too.
Kefiyo will be opening in the old Sixes site on Ash Road in Headingley, and they've just announced that they'll be soft launching this Sunday 19 April 2026.
The space is already sporting a super cute pastel green and pink exterior, and it's exactly matching the aesthetic that you'd expect with froyo.
Kefiyo will offer a range of frozen yoghurt flavours with a whole bunch of toppings for you to customise to your tastebuds, as well as fresh acai bowls.
Situated slap bang in the centre of Headingley, we've got a feeling it'll be very busy with students on their way to their morning lecture or at night for those looking for a sweet treat that doesn't feel too naughty.
We'll keep you updated on more Kefiyo updates as and when we find out.
But in the meantime, you can keep an eye on their socials here. We'll see you soon for a scoop Leeds.
Clementine Hall -
7th July 2022 
