A Winchester mum is making the extra day in 2012 count by taking part in a charity skydive.

Christine Weatherill, 48, is taking on the challenge in memory of her son Adam who died aged just 19 last Christmas from Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a muscle wasting condition.

She will be joined in the skydive by her daughter Hannah, 19, and together they aim to raise £400 each to help fight the disease.

It is part of charity Muscular Dystrophy Campaign ‘Make Today Count’ scheme which aims to raise £30,000 on February 29 through members of the public skydiving and the charity is encouraging others to joining Christine and Hannah.

Ms Weatherill, of Highways Road, Shawford, said: “Hannah and I never expected to become sky-divers and we are really nervous about our jumps, but determined to go ahead with it. Losing Adam has devastated our family, but he still inspires us to challenge ourselves, to be as positive as we can be, and to try to face the future with a smile, armed with a heart full of pride and happy memories.

“We now have a real chance to find the first treatment for muscular dystrophy and I hope that people in Winchester will back us on the 29 February and raise funds so that we can continue promising research.”

To donate to Christine and Hannah’s cause visit justgiving.com/Christine-Weatherill and justgiving.com/Hannah-Weatherill.

For more details on the campaign visit muscular-dystrophy.org/maketodaycount or call 0845 872 9058.