Grateful Macclesfield woman to skydive for charity which was a saviour to her
Macclesfield resident Eileen Higgins is to jump out of a plane for charity.
She will plunge through the skies to raise money for a Welsh animal charity.
The retail worker is raising funds for the River Link Donkeys and Animal Sanctuary based in Deeside, Wales.
Macclesfield Nub News met with Eileen to find out more.
"The animals were part of my recovery", said Eileen.
"When I lived in North Wales, I was homeless and trying to get into rehab. But it was hard to get in.
"So I found the donkey sanctuary and volunteered there. It helped me stop using the drugs.
"As I gave back to the world, my outlook to the world changed. I started to get stuck in, cleaning up and connecting with the animals.
"It was like the best thing ever.
"Then I finally got into Reach Out and Recover in Macclesfield, with the help from the kind ladies from the donkey sanctuary.
"So I need to thank the donkey sanctuary, so here I am giving back to them."
In an ideal world, Eileen would still volunteer at the donkey sanctuary every day, but has now fallen in love with Macclesfield.
"I do go back once a month to the donkey sanctuary because all my family are in North Wales, even though I am making my life here in Macclesfield," added Eileen.
"The skydive is on May 8, which is also my son's birthday. I chose a skydive as my son wanted to go in the army, but he couldn't, so a skydive is similar to what he wanted to do.
"The team from River Link are going to meet me there on the day.
"I would like to say thank you to those who are donating in support of my skydive.
"This whole process has taught me that 'If you give, you will receive.'
"By helping others, to do something for free, it will give you joy. Anything you do for others, you get paid in ways you can't explain.
"I love Macclesfield, it is a place that has given me a new start, all the people I have met here have been so supportive."
When she's not freefalling out of planes and volunteering in the community, she works at Castle Quarter wellness shop Pachamama Sevenrays.
Eileen recently volunteered in Macclesfield at the ONE Project in Macclesfield. Sadly though, they did not have any horses or donkeys!
River Link Donkeys and Animal Sanctuary were contacted by Macclesfield Nub News for comment.
"I'd like everyone to know since the first day we met Eileen she was allways honest and open about her life," they said.
"But straight away you could see beneath her trouble's she had an incredibly good heart and soul.
"She was an inspiration to us all at the sanctuary and I can honestly say she taught us things about life as well.
"We are all so so proud of her and we are lucky to have and still share her journey.
"I know she had taken everything she has learned and will put that that to good use by helping others that need the extra support.
"And we are all so grateful to her for raising the money for our donkeys and horses.
"We are going to buy cameras for our sanctuary as we desperately need them.
"We will be there on the day the cheer Eileen on. So good luck Eileen."
"The donkeys and horses say 'thank you'."
Already, 41 generous people have pledged funds.
Macclesfield: You can donate to Eileen's fundraiser ON THIS LINK.
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