A Helston mother is preparing for the biggest challenge of her life this Saturday – a skydive in memory of her sister, who died from leukaemia on the eve of her sixth birthday.

Mum-of-four,Kirby Humphreys, 28, will be carrying out the dive alongside her dad Stephen Dyer, from Praze and Beeble.

Together they are hoping to raise at least £1,000 for the children’s cancer charity CLIC Sargent.

It is after Kirby’s sister Jessica lost her battle with leukaemia on August 15, 1999, the day before she would have turned six.

This year marks what would have been her 21st birthday, which is why Kirby and her dad, who owns monumental stonemasons JH Ching, have chosen something big.

Kirby has had to lose four and a half stone to be able to reach the required weight for the skydive and admits to being “petrified” of heights, She said: “At the end of the day, I thought if my sister can fight a disease and it caused her to lose her life with it – I saw her go through so much pain – being able to do something like this is nothing in comparison.”

This Saturday Kirby and Stephen will travel to Perranporth Airfield, where they will receive 30 minutes training before being given a jump slot.

“I think emotions and nerves are going to be up,” said Kirby. “I’m pretty apprehensive.”

Forms to sponsor Kirby and her dad can be found at her mum Bev Williams’ hair salon, A New You, in Meneage Street.

Donations can also made via bmycharity.com/ajumpforjess.