A SINGLE mum from Andover will travel in an aeroplane for the very first time when she takes part in a charity skydive later this year.

Megan Taylor, from Picket Piece, will be jumping from a plane in Salisbury on July 23 to raise money for a cause close to her heart - but has never before been on a plane.

Megan, who has worked at The Royal Oak pub in Charlton for more than five years, raised more than £3,000 last year when she ‘braved the shave’ and had her hair shaved off for Macmillan Cancer Support at an event held at the pub.

The 26-year-old decided she wanted to challenge herself again this year, and set about looking for the perfect way to raise some more money.

Megan said: “The charity has always been very close to my heart, and I know a lot of people at the pub’s hearts. Everyone I know has been affected by cancer one way or another and my family, we have experienced it, too many times.

“I was thinking, what is another way I can raise money - I can’t shave my head again because it’s still not fully grown back!”

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Megan has always lived in the Andover area, growing up with her Dad in the army, and says she “really enjoys” working at the pub, and that it suits her perfectly as a mum to her five-year-old son.

One of the pub regulars, Jim Howcroft, has said he will be Megan’s official sponsor and has paid the full cost of the skydive so that more can be raised for the charity, in memory of his wife Kay who he recently sadly lost to cancer.

Talking about how she is feeling ahead of the big jump, Megan continued: “When people are going through cancer, they feel dread and a fear of the unknown. I am not saying I can relate to that, but as I have never been on a plane, the idea of jumping out gives me that same feeling!

“It’s something that I have always wanted to do. You kind of have your bucket list of things you want to try that are a bit out there.

“I might as well kill two birds with one stone. If I don’t like being in the plane, it’s ok, because I’ll soon be jumping out of it and I don’t need to worry about the landing!”

To support Megan with her challenge, head to the Royal Oak pub in Charlton, where there are collection buckets as well as a donation option on the till, with all funds going directly to Macmillan Cancer Support.

“I definitely want to try and get close to last year’s total!” said Megan.

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