A BRAVE mother is just days away from a charity skydive to mark the anniversary of her son's death in a parachuting accident.

Christine Wilson is gearing up for the jump in memory of her airman son Andrew, who fell to his death in June 2004 following a jump at Shotton Airfield, near Peterlee in east Durham.

Andrew's sister, Julie, and best friend, Ian Cowley, are also taking part in the skydive, which will be at the same airfield on June 12 - four years since the accident.

Mrs Wilson, from St Helen Auckland, County Durham, has said that she is not doing the jump for morose reasons, but wants an insight into her son, who had parachuted more than 100 times, enjoyed doing so much.

She said: "I am not nervous yet but I'm sure I will be when I'm waiting to jump."

The group are also raising money for worthy causes, and have already raised hundreds of pounds between them - but are hoping to collect even more before the event.

Mrs Wilson is raising money for the Great North Air Ambulance. She is also collecting to repair a memorial bench at Andrew's former school, St Helen Auckland Community Primary School, and for funds towards a social club she runs for elderly people in the village.

Julie, who works for Tees, Esk and Wear Valley NHS Trust, is collecting for the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal and the Binchester Ward at Auckland Park Hospital, in Bishop Auckland and Ian's charity is Cancer Research.

To sponsor any of the group, call Julie Wilson on 07780-711276.