Maddy's charity drop

A Black Country estate agent who took to the skies on April Fools' Day has raised more than £800 for charity.

Maddy Swann is an associate at Berriman Eaton Estate Agents, in Tettenhall, Wolverhampton.

She took part in a tandem parachute jump in aid of The Anthony Nolan Trust.

She said: "I just couldn't believe it when the confirmation came through of the date, but on the day it was certainly no laughing matter."

Maddy, from Tettenhall Wood, took part in the jump at an airfield in Hibaldstow, Lincolnshire, and said the experience was amazing.

She said: "When I agreed to do it, it seemed like a really good idea, and the possible dates seemed a lifetime away, but when it became a reality, I was really nervous. But now I'm so happy that I went through with it."

Maddy said she'd like to thank everyone who had supported her efforts, particularly her daughter, Laura, and her work colleagues at Berriman Eaton.

"After their initial reaction that it must be a joke because it was taking place on April Fools' Day, everyone has been incredibly supportive, and they're all amazed that I did something so terrifying."

Estate agent Nick Berriman said: "We're all very proud of Maddy, and think she's extremely brave to have taken part in this ."

The Anthony Nolan Trust provides life-saving donors for patients in need of a bone marrow transplant. Since 1974 the organisation has helped more than 4,000 people.