An Upminster headteacher took to the clouds for a charity paragliding challenge in Tenerife.

Wendy Holland, 73, and head at Oakfields Montessori School, took on the tandem paragliding challenge to raise money for the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA).

The challenge was to support her friend Sir Chris Woodhead, who is the founder and was chairman for independent schools group Cognita before he was diagnosed with the condition in 2006. He was also the chief inspector for Ofsted.

Self-confessed daredevil Wendy first took to the skies at 1,500 feet three years ago whilst visiting family on the island. When considering various options to support the MNDA charity Wendy sought to ignite the imagination of the pupils at Oakfields Montessori School.

She decided to paraglide and she did not hesitate when pupils suggested she go higher into the mountains to make the descent from 3,500 feet.

Wendy said: “I very quickly overcame my fears and thoroughly enjoyed every second of the experience. My small challenge pales into insignificance when considering the struggle Motor Neurone Disease sufferers face on a daily basis.”

Wendy is planning to return to the mountains of Tenerife in the next few months to paraglide from 10,000 feet.

If you would like to sponsor Wendy and support the MNDA, please go to www.justgiving.com/Wendy-Holland.