A fundraiser who has travelled across the world to raise money for Julia’s House, is now taking to the skies and facing her biggest fear to celebrate her 60th birthday.
She’s walked the Great Wall of China, trekked to Macchu Picchu and scaled 24 Lake District Peaks in just 24 hours – but this year, Linda Tracey says she’s hanging up her walking boots and will be taking on the Julia's House Skydive instead.
“I hate heights, and I hate edges! But I’m 60 this year so I thought, ‘Why not?’” says Nanny Linda. “It will be the scariest thing I’ve ever done; I’m going to have to force my eyes open to take it all in!”
She says, “My son and daughter think it's very funny, and my four-year-old grandson just said ‘Wow!’ when I told him. I’m lucky to have the full backing of my husband, who always supports me in my mad challenges, and they all want to be there to watch me jump and support me.”
As well as enjoying the adventure, Linda, from Marnhull near Shaftesbury, does it all to raise money for her local children's hospice charity, Julia’s House. So far, she has raised an incredible £5,000 and she’s hopeful that her skydive from 13,500 feet on 17th May will raise a further £1,000 to support our care for families.
“I pay for my trip myself, and then everything I raise goes to Julia's House. I always organise a fundraising quiz in my village and have a bucket collection at the Woolovers shop where I work in Shaftesbury,” says Linda.
“The care Julia’s House provides is so important, and every little donation helps. When I took on the Great Wall of China with Julia’s House in 2019, I visited the hospice, and I was surprised by how much the charity does for families and how little they get from the government.
“I think it’s lovely that Julia’s House looks after the whole family, and not just the poorly child. I also didn’t realise until quite recently that the nurses carry on supporting families for up to five years after their child passes away.”
Linda adds, “I’ve been so blessed with my children and grandchildren that we haven’t needed the services of Julia’s House. And when you speak to families whose children have needed that care, it does make you realise how lucky you are – and what we can all do to help parents who haven’t had that luck.”
Linda says one of her favourite things about taking part in the Julia’s House fundraising challenge events is the friendships she has made along the way.
“Even though each challenge has been difficult, the people you meet and the camaraderie you share makes you feel like you can do it. I’m still friends with people I met on my first trip to China. Around half of us went on to do Peru together three years later, and there were three of us that did the 24 Peaks last September. It’s a brilliant experience and I’d recommend it to anyone.”
Julia’s House Events Manager, Hannah Mountford, says, “Linda is an incredible supporter of Julia’s House and a true inspiration. Her determination and kindness make a real difference, and it’s thanks to amazing fundraisers like her that we can continue providing vital care for local children and families.”
She adds, "If Linda’s story has inspired you, we’d love for you to take on your own challenge—whether it’s one of our treks, a skydive, or something completely unique!”
We have a range of new challenge events for 2025, including our charity Skydive, Yorkshire Three Peaks and a trek to the Saghro Mountains in Morocco. Find your next challenge at our event pages!
