A MUM is jumping 14,000 feet out of a plane in aid of a cause close to her heart.

Gemma Ward, of Crawford Avenue, Tyldesley, is doing a skydive on June 10 to generate funds for Wigan and Leigh Hospice, which care for her dad Brian who has lung cancer.

The 38-year-old, who is an early years teaching assistant at St Georges Central School on Lancaster Avenue, is feeling slightly worried about her lofty challenge.

Former Fred Longworth High School pupil Gemma said: “I have not done anything as scary as this before so I am nervous.

“My husband Michael says that it is the craziest thing that I have ever done since we met each other 19 years ago.

“My friends and family think I am brave to do it but it will only be 10 or 15 minutes out of my day rather than the suffering my dad faces all the time.

“He said he wants to be there to watch me jump out of the plane as well.”

Gemma, who is an assistant cub scout leader at 5th Tyldesley Scout Group, will also be joined by members of the organisation on the day to watch her descent.

She will also be one of 35 members of the group sleeping at the top of the Blackpool Tower six days after the skydive as part of a scouting challenge.

As well as support at the event, Gemma has set up a crowdfunding page to raise money for the Hindley hospice who have treated him since he has been going in for weekly visits since October.

She added: “The hospice has been brilliant with my dad and very supportive for my mum.

“I am not always available to help due to work so it is great to know that the staff have been so good in dealing with his condition.

“Most people are affected by cancer of course, so I want to raise awareness of the remarkable work the hospice do in our area.

“I needed to do something to help it for what it is doing for my family.”

The Kildare Street hospice provides palliative and end of life care to hundreds of people every year.

Gemma, who has an eight-year-old daughter called Emily, will carry out her challenge at Black Knights Parachute Centre in Lancaster.

To donate to her crowdfunding page, visit bit.ly/2EYJyJd.