Girl to skydive for charity after own cancer scare

A young woman who had a terrifying cancer scare while studying for her A-Levels is raising hundreds of pounds for a charity skydive.

Hayley Woodham will be leaping out of a plane from 12,000ft in July, but needs as many sponsors as possible to make sure the jump takes place.

The 19-year-old, from Lesters Road in Cookham, was inspired to take the plunge for Lennox Children's Cancer Fund after her own brush with illness last summer.

She had initially been diagnosed with Drusen disease - a condition which attacks the retina and can cause severe loss of vision - but an MRI scan revealed she also had a cyst on her brain.

Hayley, who went to Newlands Girls' School and at the time was studying for A-Levels in English Literature and Media Studies, then faced a tense six-week wait before doctors gave her the all-clear.
"I had quite a lot of pressure on me at the time," she said.
"I didn't really tell anyone at school but the head of year, and she was really supportive. That made it easier."

And it will not just be the demons of her illness she hopes to conquer in June - she said a parachute drop where she will be plummeting in tandem at 120mph might help beat her fear of heights.
"I think maybe if people know it's something difficult then they will be more willing to give money than if it is something easy."

To date she has raised £250 and needs at least £350 to take part in the dive.
Anyone wishing to donate can visit www.justgiving.com/hayleywoodham.