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Jo founded Ethiopia Medical Project (EMP) with her cousin Maureen Burnett after getting to know the community of the Buccama Clinic, Southern Ethiopia. When they first came across the clinic it was inundated with patients suffering with severe uterine prolapse, a painful condition often caused by carrying heavy loads or frequent pregnancies with little recovery time. Many women with the condition reported living in shame and fear, hiding their pain due to the social stigma, where those affected have been seen as impure and ostracised from their families. The situation for all communities in Ethiopia has also been increasingly tough due to the civil war, famine, and the cost of living doubling in the year.

Since Jo and Maureen founded EMP the clinic has expanded to become the Buccama Health Centre with two wards, a laboratory and 22 members of staff including five qualified nurses. Their incredible fundraising achievements for the Buccama Health Centre were rewarded with MBEs in 2020. However, the last few years have been a huge challenge for all fundraisers including Jo and Maureen, who have not been able to complete their annual trip to the clinic until this coming October. Therefore, Jo is taking her fundraising efforts to new heights by jumping out of an aeroplane at St Andrews Skydive Glenrothes Fife airport. She will be one of their oldest skydivers to ever take on the challenge!

"What can I do? Face my fears and do it anyway. What can you do? Support, support, support!"

Jo's skydive will take place on Saturday 10 September at 8.30 am.