AN Ivybridge Community College student is doing a skydive to raise money that will help keep her blind grandad safe.

Chloe Evans will take on the challenge in November, with money raised through sponsorship going towards the campaign to install a pedestrian crossing near her grandad’s home.

Chloe’s grandfather lives in The Rise in Plympton, which provides accommodation for a large number of blind and partially sighted people, most of who are elderly.

Residents have been campaigning for the city council to install the zebra crossing, but the council has so far refused, saying the spot is ‘not a problem area’ as it is well served by other safety measures.

Chloe explained her motivation for the skydive.

She said: ‘I’m doing this for my grandad, and his safety. They really need a safer crossing.

‘The council doesn’t realise how dangerous it is, with them being blind and partially sighted. My grandad loves it there – apart from the crossing.

‘He can’t go out on his own because of how dangerous it is, so me and my mum go down all the time to take him shopping and things.

‘It’s dangerous enough for us, but even more when we’re leading him across, as he’s so much slower.

‘Even if he still couldn’t go out on his own, with the new crossing it would be much safer. It’s a very busy road, and the guide dogs can’t hear properly as there’s so much traffic noise.

‘It’s a good cause, and it would also benefit other people, like schoolchildren.’

Chloe will travel to Dunkeswell Airfield near Honiton on November 8 – her 16th birthday – to make the leap.

She said: ‘I’m not nervous at all, actually I’m really excited. I’ve always wanted to do one, and this seemed like the right time.’

Mum Julie added: ‘It’s hard, when you stand there yourself people don’t give way, and for blind people it’s really dangerous.

‘The money to pay for the jump is coming out of Chloe’s birthday money, so everything people donate will go towards the crossing. She asked for money for her birthday so she could pay for it.’

To find out more and sponsor Chloe, go to www.gofundme. com/uw3x8ty8.