INSPIRATIONAL charity worker Alice Halstead jumped out of a plane from 14,000 feet to raise money for the two charities closest to her heart.

Alice, 25, and three friends, Carrie Scuffell, Jane Marchesi and Liz Fairburn, travelled to Skydive North West, Grange-over-Sands, with a support team of friends and family - including Alice's diabetes detection dog, Holly, to carry out the tandem sky dives as part of Team Do it For Alice.

And so far, the team has raised more than £3,200 for Rays of Sunshine and Medical Detection Dogs.

"As a team it was a bag of mixed emotions; some were nervous, some were excited but we were all doing it to raise money and awareness," said Alice, from Embsay.

"Despite those feelings, we all knew that the charities we were supporting were two charities who benefited people and children's lives, many of whom had potentially life threatening health conditions. In reality, jumping out of a plane was nothing in comparison."

Alice, has type one diabetes and auto immune insulin syndrome, and spent more than three years in hospital just before she was due to sit her GCSEs at Skipton Girls High School, battling potentially fatal blood sugar levels. She now has diabetes alert dog, Holly, who tells her when her blood sugar levels are dangerously high or low, saving her from lapsing into unconsciousness.

"We all loved the experience and have since felt completely overwhelmed as we look up at the sky and think we were flying up there," she added.

" I never thought I would be able to do such a challenge as a skydive based on my medical history so a special thank you must go to my young adult consultant for making this possible by signing all the relevant forms and for giving me the confidence, determination and ability to achieve far more than I ever thought possible."

Team member, Carrie, said Alice was inspirational and she could think of no one better to plummet 14,000 feet with.

"I have witnessed the amazing difference the medical detection dogs charity can make and was thrilled to be able to help fundraiser for them. I know Rays of Sunshine has also enriched many lives of sick children and so of course it was also great to help this cause too."

Jane, learning manager of student progress at Skipton Girls' High School who invigilated Alice on her exams, which she recently sat, said "Meeting Alice has opened my eyes to her condition, the amazing Medical Detection Dogs who are so wondrously clever and life saving and enhancing, and the happiness Rays of Sunshine brings to children and their families. Also, Alice 'granted' me a life long ambition to launch myself into the sky from a great height, and it was an awesome experience - she is a complete inspiration, and I think I might do anything for her."

Liz, who Alice met when she was in hospital, was he nervous one in the group, but ended up laughing throughout.

"I was terrified and didn't want to do it but I'm so glad I did. Alice is one inspirational lady and if she can get me to jump out of a plane, she can do anything."

Donations can still be made to

online at virginmoneygiving.com/SomeoneSpecial/DoitforAlice