WHEN two Crediton people do a parachute jump on June 4 at Dunkeswell they will have raised much more than £1,000 for ELF (Exeter Leukaemia Fund).

Heather Nott and Graham Atkinson had thought about doing a parachute jump for years. Both work at Crediton Milling Company Limited and it was not until they got chatting one day that they realised each other's ambition.

They encouraged each other and are looking forward to their June 4 date. Graham hopes the jump will help him overcome his fear of heights.

Both have been on a hot air balloon flight at different times and Graham has done more than 50 bungee jumps from a crane 250 metres high. He would love to do "the big one" in New Zealand.

Graham moved to Crediton from Kent five years ago. Heather has been married to Ivor for 35 years, they have two daughters and three grandchildren, and live in Fordton.

"I have done lots of sponsored walks," said Heather. "We were talking about doing a parachute jump, read about ELF organising jumps for funds, and Graham said 'why not?'"

She held a cup cake and coffee morning at her home raising £251, which covers the cost of the jump. Heather baked 100 cup cakes for the morning.

So far she has raised £750, Graham has raised £400. He thanks Sarah's Barber Shop for having his t-shirt printed.

Heather thanks everyone who supported her coffee morning, those who helped, who contributed to the draw prizes, especially the local shops. "My mother-in-law ran the name-a-doll competition which raised £251, it was amazing," said Heather.

Sponsorship forms for Graham are at Crediton Milling at Fordton, Heather has forms at Downes Crediton Golf Club, where she also works.

ELF supports the work of the Haematology Centre at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital. The Centre treats the region's blood cancer victims, performs bone marrow transplants and conducts research into the causes and treatment of the disease.