'Terrified' student to take plunge for nursery

WHEN you are absolutely petrified of heights, a daring 130-foot bungee jump off a bridge could be the nearest thing to hell on earth.

But it is a death-defying jump Elgin student Nick Johnston is willing to do for a local cause in urgent need of funding support from the public.

On Saturday (February 23), Nick (25) will have a once-in-a-lifetime freefall experience of plunging off a bridge over the River Garry, in Perthshire, at 50 miles per hour on the end of a length of rope.

The Moray College media student is raising cash for the Ladybird Development Nursery in Lossiemouth, which support his lecturer Gary Groves’ young son in his battle with Cerebral Palsy.

Little Thomas Grove (2) is not able to get around or develop new skills as easily as other children his age, and needs help from the physio, speech and language and occupational health therapists who care for him at Ladybird.

But the Moray facility needs around £60,000 every year to support youngsters with developmental needs, and with only 30% of their costs covered by Moray Council backing they rely heavily on local fund-raisers.

Touched by the efforts of Ladybird staff in support of Thomas, Nick decided to link a charity effort with his digital media college course to tackle one of his biggest fears.

“Heights absolutely scare the living daylights out of me,” he admitted. “My guts are churning at the thought of it."

For full story, see Northern Scot print version.

Pledges to Nick's bungee jump can be made at www.charitygiving.co.uk/nickjohnstonbunjee.