AN award-winning financial planner from Eggleston is to take to the skies in a daring wing-walk to fill mountain rescue volunteers’ coffers.
Gemma Siddle is raising the cash to celebrate her husband, Jamie, becoming a fully qualified member of Teesdale and Weardale Search and Mountain Rescue Team (TWSMRT).
It is almost a decade since the mum-of-one has done anything as adventurous as being strapped to the wing of a 1940s Boeing Stearman biplane.
She said: “Many moons ago I did a run of skydiving, abseiling and bungee-jumping. I like the adrenaline. I am scared of heights so I did the skydive to conquer that fear.”
She also trekked through the Amazon but soon settled down to marry Jamie and have her daughter Holly.
Mrs Siddle, who is a director at Eldon Financial Planning and was named The Personal Finance Society’s Charter Planner of the Year in 2019, now admits to being more than a little nervous of her latest challenge.
She said: “The big thing is ten years ago it would have been excitement. When you get older things change. I am 50-50 excited and nervous.”
Her husband qualified as a full member of TWSMRT after 18 months of training and joined for something to do after being the primary carer of their daughter.
Mrs Siddle said: “It’s a team close to my heart because I’ve seen the amazing work they do. The rescue team consists of about 50 volunteers, all on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
“All the volunteers work in normal jobs too and meet almost all their own expenses for work with the team. The team will typically respond to between 40 and 50 requests for help every year.
“Team vehicles, rescue kit, medical supplies and operational running costs are in excess of £40,000 per year so we rely entirely on donations from the public to provide this free public emergency service.”
Her appeal has already raised more than £2,000.
Mrs Siddle said: “I was thinking £100 or £200 but I thought I would be brave and set it at £300. It’s amazing.”
Financial planning firm Eldon will be matching whatever she raises up to a maximum of £5,000.
She will take to the sky on Saturday, July 3.
To support the fundraising drive visit justgiving.com/fundraising/gemmasiddle.
