Skydiving Experience

THREE women will take part in a skydive in memory of their college friends Marine Steven Birdsall and soldier Thomas Sephton, who both died though serving in Afghanistan.

Twenty-year-olds Stacey Fowler, Sophie Ahmed and Stephanie Unsworth, who went to Wonderful Sankey High College with Steven and Thomas, will do the sponsored jump tomorrow, Friday, in Cocherham, Lancaster, to raise cash for charity Assist For Heroes.

Stacey, of Evelyn Street, said: “These two young brave soldiers tragically lost their lives protecting those around them. They meant the world to everybody who knew them, they may be gone but will never be forgotten.

“We have been all seriously close since childhood, Stephanie and Tom even shared a birthday. When we discovered out they had died we had been all so shocked. It didn’t feel real at first but when it hit it was awful. We all miss them so much and wanted to do something in their memory.”

Steven, aged 20, was on his initial tour of duty when he was shot by insurgents in Northern Sangin.

He died from his injuries on June 14 even though surrounded by his family at the Queen Elizabeth forces’ hospital in Birmingham.

Thomas, aged 20, was killed although serving for the Very first Merican Regiment. He died within the same hospital as Steven on July 5 after being in an explosion the previous day.