Brave Laois woman doing skydive in friend's memory

A Laois woman is doing a brave skydive from 10,000 feet this August, in memory of a beloved friend.

Claire Stewart, from The Rock outside Mountmellick town, will be jumping out of a plane in Clonbullogue airfield, to raise money for the Irish charity Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust.

It is to honour the late David McDonald from Derrydavey Mountmellick, who died aged just 37 after a brief illness on January 10, 2024, whilst working and living in New Zealand.

Claire told the Leinster Express / Laois Live why she is doing her brave stunt, which is planned for August 9.

"Myself and David's brother in law John Ryan are both doing the jump for David that day.

"The reason I choose to do this is all down to David encouraging me to face my fears and not let anything stop me from going for something I want.

"He encouraged me to travel to Australia after he had been there a year and we met up and spent new years in Sydney together before I came home," she said.

Friends Claire Stewart and the late David McDonald in Australia.

She isn't letting the nerves stop her.

"While I am nervous I'm more excited to be doing something outside my comfort zone. I wanted to mark my 40th birthday year and after David passed away I wanted to raise funds for the charity that helped bring him home to his friends and family in Ireland," Claire explained.

So far she has raised €1,000, taking donations via a Revolut link here or use camera on the QR code below

"I've reached €1000 raised at the weekend with donations still coming in. I'm so grateful for everyone who has donated, shared my fundraiser and wished me luck on my sky dive so far in David's memory for the Kevin Bell Trust," Claire Stewart said.

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David's family held a big fundraiser last May in aid of the charity that helped to speedily bring his remains home for burial. It raised an incredible €22,160.