A FUNDRAISER took to the skies to help people with spinal injuries.

Ruth Burton has raised more than £2,000 for the Midland Centre for Spinal Injuries (MCSI) with a sponsored skydive.

The physiotherapist - works at MCSI, which is based at the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt (RJAH) Orthopaedic Hospital in Gobowen - completed the jump at Long Mountain in Welshpool for the Spinal Injuries Activities Fund.

This fund allows MCSI staff to extend spinal injury patients’ rehabilitation by assisting them into the community.

She said: "The whole experience was amazing, I was very nervous but my instructor, Mick Bird-Jones from YX Paragliding School was fantastic."

Ruth set a target to raise £1,000 but has more than doubled that figure with £2,022 received so far.

“On the way to my paraglide, I got a bit emotional thinking about all the donations and support I’ve received from my colleagues, past and present patients and members of the public," she said

“I’d like to say thank you to everyone who has donated or supported me in some way. It’s been really heart-warming.

“Having available money in the Activities Fund means we can take patients out for lunch, shopping or to the cinema which allows them to experience new situations such as using public transport or a wheelchair-friendly toilet. It’s a real confidence boost for them.”

Mr Joy Chowdhury, clinical lead and consultant for MCSI, said: “I am so proud of Ruth, she was very nervous prior to completing the paraglide but faced her fears for our patients.

“Without the Activities Fund, patients are discharged from the unit without developing their independence in the community which is a really important skill.

Donations can still be made at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ruth-burtonparaglide.