A DOZEN teachers will fall 10,000ft from an aeroplane in a tandem skydive to raise money for a sick pupil at their school.

The Castle Hall School teachers are braving the terrifying challenge to raise money for 12-year-old Bailey Coppack, who has a brain tumour.

Bailey, from Mirfield, and her family are trying to raise enough money so they can all go to America so she can have specialist proton therapy.

Because the tumour is wrapped around her brain stem, specialists are worried that the usual forms of radiotherapy, accessed in the UK, could paralyse her, make her deaf and stunt her ability to learn.

Art teacher Stephen Walker, who is housemaster of the school’s Gascoigne House, of which Bailey is a member, organised the skydive challenge.

Fifteen daredevils are taking part in total – as two staff members have enlisted their spouses and one has got her daughter on board.

Mr Walker said: “I just sent a random email around asking if anyone fancied doing a skydive and at first everyone was making jokes about it, but then we got more and more people involved.

“Of course, because some of the staff are a bit older they will have to get checked out by their doctors first. Most people have never done it before – I’ve done a parachute jump, but never a tandem skydive from 10,000ft!

“We heard about Bailey doing fundraising and we wanted to support her. The children think it’s a great idea and they think we’re all a bit mad.”

The teachers hope to complete the skydive on April, 28 and need to raise £350 each to take part – with £100 each going to Bailey’s fund.

The aim is to raise £1,500 or more.

Bailey lives with her mum Lisa and partner Graham Ellis and sister Ellie Coppack and Jamie Ellis.

Bailey’s mum Lisa Coppack, who works part-time for Kirklees Council, told the Examiner that everyone at the school have been “fantastic”.

The 39-year-old said: “They’ve been absolutely brilliant especially Mr Walker, and there’s loads of fundraising events planned.”

The teachers taking part are Mr S Walker, Mr P Norcliffe, Miss G Marsden, Mrs H Mallard, Mr D Smith, Miss A Campbell, business manager D Neve and her daughter, Mrs R Duguid, Mrs S Bamforth, Mrs A Ramsden, Mrs C Whitley, the spouses of Mrs J Lees and Mr M Ketteringham. Mr Ledgard is still deliberating.

The teachers at the school at Richard Thorpe Avenue are calling out for local Mirfield businesses and individuals to sponsor them.

If you think you can help, call 07812 169562.