A CARE assistant is preparing to dive with sharks to raise money for elderly people.

Dominique Oldham will swap the Lynton Day Centre in East Linton for the adrenaline-pumping experience this weekend.

The 30-year-old has only been working at the centre for “a few weeks” but decided to take the plunge to raise funds.

She said: “I saw you could do diving with sharks and to be honest a few years ago I was thinking about doing it for a big charity.

“I never got round to it and I was volunteering at the day centre and it is just a really nice place for the elderly members of the community to come.

“It is full of lovely people and I wanted to get some money to give them a treat or something nice in the day centre.

“I just thought it would be a fun thing to do.”

Dominique (pictured below), who lives in the village, is heading to Deep Sea World, North Queensferry, on Saturday.

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The dive takes place at 1.30pm and she will be joined by other members of day centre staff from the day centre, although they are only taking on a spectating role.

Dominique, who was hoping the animals were “not hungry” on the day, will be joined by one of the aquarium’s divers before going under the water and getting up close with a variety of sharks.

She added: “I have been told to arrive early for training “They will show me how to use the diving equipment before I get in the water. A few people from the day centre are coming to see me do it as well.

“I’m a bit nervous but excited as well.

“I’m not really scared of sharks as much as being under water and I have never done diving before, so we will see.”

Already Dominique, who volunteered at the day centre for more than a year before joining the staff, has managed to attract a number of sponsors but was hopeful of adding to her fundraising total.

She added: “I used to be a really strong swimmer.

“I’ve got ME (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis), chronic fatigue syndrome, so it hard for me to do really hard, physical activities but I thought I would give myself a wee challenge to do.

“Everybody at the day centre has been really supportive of my illness and it is a great place.”

To make a donation to Dominique’s efforts, visit the day centre on East Linton High Street or contact Dominique at dominiqueold ham87@gmail.com