A DAREDEVIL Holcombe cat lover is to tackle a skydive for a national cat charity.

Tracie Atkin, 53, a self-confessed adrenalin junkie, says a parachute jump has always been on her bucket list.

In September, she will freefall for up to two miles and travel at up to 120mph in the skydive.

Tracie, who began as a volunteer and now works for Cats Protection, decided to raise money for the charity and fulfil her wish at the same time.

She said: ‘I have no fears about doing it as I’m a bit of an adrenaline junkie and love rollercoaster rides.’

She was inspired to change her life and career when she got her cat Bella.

Having worked in banking and insurance for many years, Tracie began working from home as a mortgage adviser and decided to get a cat for company.

She explained: ‘I’d had cats in the past, but because I was frequently away from home for work, I wasn’t able to have one.

‘Then, when I became a mortgage adviser, I got Bella.

‘She was such a fantastic companion she inspired me to give something back and do more to help cats.

‘I contacted Cats Protection’s Exeter Axhayes Adoption Centre about becoming a volunteer and before long I was helping out as a cat care assistant.

‘I loved being able to give something back and it was a welcome distraction from my stressful job as a mortgage adviser.’

Soon a job for a volunteer team leader became available for which Tracie successfully applied.

Her role is now funded thanks to players of People’s Postcode Lottery who have raised more than £1 million for the charity to-date to help fund both volunteer team leader and cat care assistant roles.

Tracie said: ‘I can honestly say I love my job.

‘We have a terrific group of volunteers who not only help look after our cats, but also help with fundraising.

‘I look after 98 volunteers and 11 of these are supported volunteers who come in with their carer.

‘They help with cat socialisation and find this really helps with their mental wellbeing.

‘Now I’ve settled into my job as volunteer team leader at the Exeter Axhayes Adoption Centre and the Taunton Homing and Information Centre, I want to do even more for Cats Protection, so I’ve decided to do a parachute jump to raise as much money as possible for the cats and kittens at the centre.

‘I just hope the weather is good on the day and we can raise lots of money for Cats Protection’s Exeter Axhayes Adoption Centre.’

The skydive, either tandem or a solo static line jump, will take place on Saturday, September 14, Dunkeswell Airfield, near Honiton.

To sponsor Tracie go to her Just Giving fundraising page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/tracie-atkin1