INSPIRED to fight the illness which killed her mum 25 years ago, an Oxfordshire woman jumped from a plane to raise money for a good cause.

Wendy Foster said she was only able to carry out her skydive for Brain Tumour Research by thinking of Joan Foster who died from the 'horrific' illness at 52.

The 48-year-old, who lives in Launton, near Bicester, said: "I was nervous going up in the plane.

"I remember sitting on the edge looking into nothing. The only thing that made me jump out was that I was doing it for mum – and the amount of money supporters had already pledged to give me for the dive.

"I really hope she was proud of me."

Miss Foster, a fundraising consultant, said she timed the dive to mark 25 years since her mother died.

She said: "My mum seemed as fit as anything and it was such a shock for us all.

"We had a normal Christmas Day but then on Boxing Day she had to be taken to the John Radcliffe where they did some tests which showed the brain tumour.

"She died on January 4. It is such an awful illness and more awareness and fundraising needs to be done for it."

Mrs Foster had been a teacher at Launton Primary School and was very well known in the village.

Her daughter added: "After she died, they had to explain to her class why she was not coming back after Christmas.

"One child said she had gone to Heaven to teach Jesus how to read and write. That is something I will never forget.

"She was so well thought of by everyone and the church was packed at her funeral."

Miss Foster has raised money for the charity before when she took on the London Marathon. She has already raised £656 for her skydive with the Netheravon Army Parachute Association, near Salisbury.

She hopes that her challenge will not only raise funds but awareness for the charity.

She added: "It was always on my bucket list to do this, and I couldn't think of a better place to do it.

"The people at Netheravon Army Parachute Association were fantastic and they really made it the best experience for me.

"I do not think I could have done it without the brilliant support I received from them."

To donate visit: justgiving.com/fundraising/Wendy-Foster5