A BRIERLEY Hill woman with a fear of heights is preparing to do a skydive for a cause close to her heart.

Gemma Hodgkisson, aged 30, will take the plunge in aid of the cystic fibrosis unit at Heartlands Hospital, Birmingham, as her partner, Dean Coley, aged 29, suffers with the condition and regularly visits the ward for treatment.

She will be joined by nine fellow members of the Fat Burner Boot Camp in Walsall, for the jump at Hinton Skydiving Centre, Northampton, on August 23.

Half of the group will raise funds for the hospital unit and the other half will jump to show support for premature baby charity, Bliss.

Gemma said: "The truth is I'm petrified of heights and planes but I know I'll get through it with my campers and it will be an amazing day, we'll all be buzzing off each other."

The group have already raised more than £1,000.

To sponsor Gemma, visit www.justgiving.com/Gemma-Hodgkisson/.