An inspirational 80-year-old woman jumped 15,000ft out of a plane dressed as Spiderman in memory of her son who sadly died of motor neurone disease (MND).

Daredevil Mary Bates from Weymouth completed the skydive as part of a fundraiser alongside six other people for MND charities – all in memory of her son Spenny (Spencer Bates).

Mrs Bates described the experience as ‘magical,’ explaining that there was a heartfelt reason as to why the group of seven decided to dress as Spiderman.

Mary Bates skydivingMary Bates skydiving (Image: Mary Bates)

Just six days after she decided to complete the skydive, Mrs Bates heard the heart-breaking story of a young boy called Oliver who sadly died of MND.

She said: “I found out about Oliver around six days later and he had died of MND at just 11-years-old. When I found out, I sat and cried for ages. He loved Spiderman.

“I kept hearing this voice saying, ‘lots of spidermen’ so that’s what we did.”

Group photoGroup photo (Image: Mary Bates) The group also all had their very own Spiderman teddys.

After that, Mrs Bates set about recruiting family, including her granddaughter Amy Tufnail, 19 and her grandson Leon Scott, 40, as well as friends and even strangers – one of whom is the manager at her local Tesco.

Leon and instructorLeon and instructor (Image: Mary Bates) At the time of writing, between them all they have raised more than £10,000 for Motor Neurone Disease Association and Darby Rimmer MND Foundation.

Mary, her granddaughter Amy and OliviaMary, her granddaughter Amy and Olivia (Image: Mary Bates)

Speaking of the experience, Mrs Bates said: “It was absolutely brilliant, there were seven of us who did it

“My granddaughters friend joined and both of them were over the moon. We all had a lovely time.

Mary and her granddaughter Amy (left) and OliviaMary and her granddaughter Amy (left) and Olivia (Image: Mary Bates) “I loved it. It’s very scary, when you come out of the plane, you are just free falling, but when you open your eyes it’s magical.

“When I reached the ground, I kept saying ‘I did a sky dive’ like I was a little girl.”

Group photoGroup photo (Image: Mary Bates)

However, the daredevil’s fundraising mission doesn’t end there as on October 6, another woman is going to be jumping out of a plane for the charity – and Mrs Bates planes to join her.

Mary Bates skydivingMary Bates skydiving (Image: Mary Bates)Finally, on April 14, 2025, to celebrate her 81st birthday, Mrs Bates is planning to obtain a Guinness World Record for the largest amount of people dressed as Spiderman flying through the air – she is looking for people to join her.

If you would like to donate, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/page/mary-bates-1717693869901