A brave duo is preparing to plunge 15,000 feet as part of a charity sky dive to boost causes close to their heart.

A plucky duo will have to wait to plunge 15,000 feet as part of a charity skydive to boost causes close to their hearts.

Teenager Isabel Clarkson decided she wanted to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Society and Hembury Fort House, in Honiton, after watching her grandma live with dementia for nine years.

The 16-year-old wanted to thank the staff at the home for their support looking after her gran until her death last year and hopes the donations will go towards helping others living with the disease.

Isabel, who lives in Tipton St John, said: “I spent nine years of my life watching the disease slowly eradicate any trace of who my grandma was and I don’t think I’ll ever be able to fully comprehend how an illness can completely erase and replace who someone is and how they behave.

“I would really appreciate it if you could donate anything, no matter how small, to such a great cause. The money raised will be split equally between Hembury Fort House and Alzheimer’s Society.”

Isabel’s actions inspired mum-of-two Harriet Steptoe to join her for the skydive and achieve a lifelong dream in the process.

The pair were due to dive on Easter Monday but due to weather will try again on April 15. The Sidmouth Slimming World consultant said she has always wanted to do a tandem skydive, but was unable to, as she previously weighed more than 16 stone - the weight limit is 15 stone.

Now, after losing seven stone, Harriet said she is ready to take the plunge in aid of Parkinson’s UK.

Harriet said: “It’s like anything - it is not having the embarrassment of being overweight. Back then, the thought of putting on one of those suits, when I was over 16 stone in weight, it was not going to happen. It is about having confidence.

“For me it’s to raise money for a great charity. I have a very close friend of the family who suffers with Parkinson’s, so it’s quite a personal charity to do it for.”

The pair hope to raise £500 each for their respective causes. So far, Harriet has raised £425 and Isabel £385.

To donate visit their separate Just Giving pages:

For Harriet’s, visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Harriet-Steptoe

And for Isabel’s, visit https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/isabel-clarkson