Woman To Jump From Plane In Memory Of Family Killed In Tunisia Terror Attack

A 52-year-old English woman who lost her son, brother, and father in the terrorist attack that happened in Tunisia in 2015 is to jump out of a plane with her surviving son to raise money for other families torn apart by the tragedy.

On July 3, Suzy Evans and her 22-year-old son, Owen, will skydive with family and friends of the 38 victims killed in the mass shooting to honor their memories.

The group is focused on raising money for the charity project, Smile For Joel.

Suzy, from Wednesbury, lost her 19-year-old son, Joel Richards, 49-year-old brother, Adrian Evans, and 78-year-old father Patrick Evans, in the mass shooting that occurred in the Riu Imperial Marhaba Hotel at Port El Kantaoui, in the city of Sousse on June 26, 2015.

Owen was on a holiday with his brother, uncle, and grandfather when the gunman, Seifeddine Rezgui, opened fire inside the hotel. Owen managed to survive the attack.

Suzy’s cousin Claire Webb will also be joining them along with Jordan Lovett, who is taking part in memory of her sister Carly Lovett from Gainsborough in Lincolnshire, Lee Stocker, who will be jumping in memory of his parents John and Janet Stocker from Morden, and Lewis Burbridge, who will be joining them in the memory of his grandma Lisa Burbridge, from Whickham, Gateshead.

The group including 32 other friends and family of the victims will tandem skydive at Whitchurch Airfield in Shropshire.

"We have got Joel’s old teachers and lecturers from Stuart Bathurst and Wood Green schools and Worcester University taking part," Suzy told the Express and Star.

"We have two police officers jumping, a representative from Victim Support, and members of the public who have joined the team to support us."

"The response has been incredible."

Suzy said they were supposed to conduct the event last year but postponed it due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

"It has been so long in the planning I just can’t wait to do it," said Suzy.

"We just hope it does not get spoilt because of the weather because we have 38 people taking part and to arrange another date would be quite challenging."

"We are excited but it is a bit daunting."

"I am not that good with heights," she added.

The group hopes to raise £30,000 for "Smile For Joel" which will be used to help the families affected by the tragedy. All the participants will get a "Jump for Joel" hoodie as a token of gratitude, Suzy said.