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Nikki Winnard

Nikki will be making the daring skydive at the end of February and is seeking sponsors to help her raise the cash for the self-help group Help Adolescents with Cancer (HAWC) that she founded.

The 24-year-old was diagnosed with a brain tumour when she was just 13 years old and doctors did not hold out much hope but Nikki's courage and determination has helped her fight her illness and help others like her.

HAWC was set up to campaign for better treatment and care for teenagers suffering from cancer and make doctors, hospital bosses and politicians listen to their views and improve facilities.

The organisation also fights for employment rights for young people who have or have had cancer who, HAWC say, are often discriminated against in the jobs market.

In the last nine years HAWC has developed into a national organisation with more than 380 members and in February 1997 became a registered charity (No. 1068379) with celebrity Gaby Roslin as its patron.

Nikki, who has gradually lost her sight over the last six years as a result of her illness and now has only partial sight in her right eye, is determined her charity, which won the backing of Princess Diana, will become a lifeline to others.

Despite her disability, Nikki looked forward to her parachute jump which she hopes will inspire others.

She said: "We take 26 teenagers to Jersey every year for a workshop where they can meet others and talk about the treatment they receive and offer each other support.

"We need to raise money to do this and run the charity so I decided to do this parachute jump and I hope by doing this I will encourage other people to try to achieve more.

"I'm not brave, I'm very lucky. My friends have stood by me and my family have always been there for me."

Anyone interested in learning more about HAWC can visit the group's website at www.mwmsites.com/hawc/index.html