A CHELMSFORD shop worker took on a sky diving challenge for a charity in honour of her grandad.

Teela Jarvis, who works at Wickes in the city overcame a fear of heights to raise cash for Alzheimer’s Research UK.

Teela jumped from 13,000ft as part of the charity’s Skydive Day, along with colleagues and friends who were all raising money for the UK’s leading dementia research charity.

Teela was spurred on by thoughts of her grandad, who is living with Alzheimer’s disease.

The shop worker has raised £470 with the challenge.

She said: “Seeing this disease first-hand has been a real eye-opener. Many people still don’t know that it’s so much more than memory loss: it’s a horrible disease, and the impact has rippled through the entire family.

“My grandparents have been married for 60 years, and before my grandad had to move into a home, my nan was his sole carer.

“But he doesn’t know who she is any more, and that’s just devastating.

“Last year when we were voting for Wickes’ charity partner I supported Alzheimer’s Research UK because this cause means so much to me, and I was delighted when they were chosen.”

Last year she ran a half marathon and decided she wanted to do another challenge this year.

Kate Moss, Corporate Partnerships Officer at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: “The money raised by Teela and her colleagues at Wickes is helping to fund essential resources and equipment for our scientists, and taking us closer to the next breakthrough.”

To donate to Teela’s fundraising visit www.justgiving.com/Teela-Jarvis.