A GRANDMOTHER is fearlessly taking on a 13,000ft skydive to help fund research into the disease that killed her husband.

Jenny Farthing, 71, from Winchester, lost her husband to a brain tumour and now fundraises to help find a cure.

She is joining the British Army Red Devils Parachute Regiment Freefall Team on Tuesday July 9 and hopes to raise £2,000 for the Brain Tumour Research charity.

The challenge was inspired by the death of Guy, a garden designer who had won eight gold medals at Chelsea Flower Show. He was diagnosed with an inoperable low-grade brain tumour at the age of 60. He underwent radiotherapy and chemotherapy but died two years ago.

Jenny, who has a 10-year-old grandchild, said: “I remember how accepting Guy was as we were told the news that he was living with a brain tumour. He calmly asked questions and held my hand. Having been married for nearly 50 years, I knew he would try to remain practical and realistic if either of us became ill.

“His tumour remained stable for several years but sadly, in 2015, it started to grow again and became aggressive. I had to stop work to care for him at home and it was awful to see him bed-bound and unable to communicate.

“Losing a partner after nearly 50 years together was never going to be easy and I have tried very hard to make sure that I make the most of the life I have, as I’m sure Guy would want me to be happy and have fun.

“I have always been a ‘just do it’ person and since losing Guy I have completed the London Marathon and even abseiled the Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth for Brain Tumour Research. For my next challenge, I wanted to step things up a gear. The skydive will be one of the scariest things I’ve ever done and many of my friends and family members think I’m crazy for signing up to it.

“I’m looking forward to doing something a little different to raise money for this vital cause and I’m sure Guy would be really proud of me. Fundraising is a fantastic way to keep his memory alive. I also want to help raise awareness of the implications of this devastating disease, which can take loved ones away too early and also significantly reduce the quality of life a person has after diagnosis.”

Jenny’s place has been donated by Cargostore Worldwide, one of the world’s fastest growing suppliers of shipping containers, who are a sponsor for the British Army’s Red Devils Parachute Regiment Freefall Team.

Michael Thelwall, regional head of community fundraising for Brain Tumour Research, said: “We thank Jenny for taking on another incredible fundraiser for Brain Tumour Research.”