A ‘super’ gran’ is leaping out of a plane to fund research into a disease that is making her blind.

Jean Drinkwater, 67, has retinitis pigmentosa, a hereditary and degenerative eye disease for which there is no cure.

In the last decade the gradual decline of her eyesight has turned her life upside down.

The grandmother of five from Poynton had to retire early and relies on her husband Roger, 70, and guide dog Kit to help her get around.

Her only hope is that doctors find a cure to the disease before she shares the same fate as her mother and goes completely blind.

In a bid to speed up research, Jean is taking part in a world record sky dive attempt on June 14.

Jean, of Charlecote Road, said: “At the moment there is no cure to this disease so my only hope is that research speeds up and for that to happen they need money. Even if they cannot help me I hope they can find a cure for future generations.”

Before her eyesight began to fail Jean set up and managed Macclesfield Live at Home scheme, which encourages the elderly to stay in their own homes and organises social events.

Jean said: “I was always aware the disease could affect me because of my mother, but it was life-changing when it finally hit me.

“I had to retire early and stop driving, which took away my freedom.

“Despite it being such a horrible thing to happen to me, I am not angry or depressed but take the attitude ‘what will be, will be’ as I am fortunate in other ways and not in any pain.”

Jean keeps herself busy as a member of Poynton Methodist Church, the U3A and sings in the Andante Choir.

She said there has been a mixed reception from her fundraising idea.

Jean said: “I’ve never done anything like this before but I am really excited.

“Some people think I am crazy, some people think I am brave; I think I am just foolhardy.

The progress of retinitis pigmentosa is not consistent. Some people will exhibit symptoms from infancy, others may not notice symptoms until later in life.

Visit doitforcharity.com/JeanD.