A SCHOOLGIRL is to take on a charity sky dive to raise money in memory of her mother.

Rachel Johnston's mum, Janet Elizabeth Culley, passed away last year after losing her battle with oesophageal cancer.

Now the 16-year-old Darlington Education Village student is raising funds for Cancer Research with a sponsored parachute jump.

Kirsten Antoncich, pupil engagement leader at the school, said: "Her mum passed away last year and Rachel didn't have a long time to prepare for it," she said.

"It was quite sudden. She had some really hard times but has started to pull herself around and is doing something really positive like this."

The dive takes place on February 2 - which would have been Rachel's mums 50th birthday.

Rachel said: "My mum was a thoughtful and caring person who tried to help all charities.

"She provided well for my brother, sister and me. We all count ourselves very lucky to have had a mother as precious and special as ours."

To sponsor Rachel, email the school at admin@educationvillage.org.uk.