A MUSSELBURGH councillor is ready to reach new heights in aid of care charity ELCAP.

Andy Forrest, East Lothian’s Depute Provost, has volunteered to undertake a tandem skydive at 10,000 feet to raise funds for the Prestonpans-based organisation on November 15.

An East Lothian resident for 38 years, he has been a Musselburgh councillor for 17 years and is also a board member at Capital Credit Union, serving as secretary.

He said: “I have seen first-hand the amazing work ELCAP does to support the community of East Lothian.”

He added: “My tandem jump from 10,000 feet will be free fall for, I think, 30 seconds, then floating to the ground on the parachute.

“I am looking forward to doing the jump – it’s something that I have wanted to do for a few years.

“It is my first jump.”

Capital Credit Union has been celebrating its 30th anniversary with ‘30 Acts of Kindness’.

Mr Forrest’s skydive at the airfield at Glenrothes is the final act and, it’s hoped, will raise a “significant amount” for ELCAP.

ELCAP is a Scottish charity which offers care and support to individuals with a learning disability, all of whom have some level of difficulty with communication.

With expert input from speech and language therapists, its ‘Our Voice, Our Choice’ project ensures they have access to approaches and tools which enable them to communicate more effectively with others.

The charity’s mission is to become the recognised gold standard in social care by empowering the individuals they support, their staff and their community to grow and succeed.

It complements Capital Credit Union’s ethos of People Helping People.

Paul White, CEO of ELCAP, said: “Many of us take communication for granted. But imagine what life would be like if we struggled to understand our family and friends or if we struggled to express the things that matters to us.

“Every penny Capital helps us raise will be used to give voice to the individuals we support and ensure they have greater choice and control in their lives.

“Like all charities, fundraising is very important for ELCAP, particularly as we rise to the challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Our vision is that everyone, no matter what their individual support needs, is able to live to their full potential and be an active and valued member of our community.

“Capital Credit Union’s support will help us make more of a difference to more people.”

Funds raised by Capital Credit Union will be used to support ELCAP’s ‘Our Voice, Our Choice’ project.

To support Mr Forrest, go to his JustGiving page at bit.ly/2HWFRdK