A Holbeach woman is to mark what would have been her life-long friend’s 21st birthday by taking a huge leap for a road safety charity
Abby Wright is to take on a skydive in memory of Amy Cooper who died last November when she was knocked from her motorcycle by a disqualified driver.
Abby is jumping from the plane on July 23, the day after what would have been Amy’s 21st birthday.
“Amy was a brilliant friend,” Abby said. “We met in playgroup when we were around three-years old, so we always had each other growing up, throughout school and after when Amy worked at Taylor’s Bulbs and in Lymington and me at Anglia Ruskin University.
“She was kind to everyone, independent, intelligent and good fun to be around.
“To be honest, we didn’t have a great deal in common, but it meant we always had something to talk about.
“We could talk each others ears off but also sit in silence without it feeling awkward, just enjoying each others company.
“We were the only girls in our year group at one point in primary school so we always had each other.
“We both loved animals. Amy had lots of animals growing up (dogs, goats, geese, fish, chameleons, chickens).
“We often went to the cinema to watch movies and sometimes to the theatre, one of Amy’s favourites was ‘Hamilton’ and she often listened to the soundtrack, singing along word for word.
“We both did the same sports course at college and she would happily come along to Zumba dance classes with me because I didn’t want to go alone.
“We enjoyed baking together one of our favourite subjects at school was food technology.
“We were in the ‘kitchens’ next to each other in the classroom so would chat while and help each other out.
“I think Amy would be supportive of the skydive, as she was always a supportive but would probably think I’m a bit crazy.”
She’s looking to raise money for RoadPeace which provides support to families of people who have died or been seriously injured in incidents on the road.
“I want to raise awareness of road safety and the charity for anyone that has lost a loved one in similar circumstances,” Abby said. “I know Amy was passionate about biker safety and I think she would’ve been happy that awareness was being raised for a charity like RoadPeace.“
In February Shane Kelk was jailed for eight years and three months for a host of charges relating to the incident that killed Amy including causing death by dangerous driving.
