A BASINGSTOKE woman is aiming to conquer her fear of flying to pull in the pounds for a good cause.

Sam Tymms, of Egerton Drive, Popley, is aiming to raise money for Myeloma UK in memory of her grandfather, Geoff Tymms, who passed away in January 2014 after battling the disease.

Myeloma is a cancer affecting plasma cells, which are cells made in the body’s bone marrow.

The condition is often difficult to diagnose because it doesn’t exist as a lump or tumour like many other forms of cancer.

The 29-year-old, who is a healthcare assistant at Marnel Lodge Care Home, in Carter Drive, Popley, is aiming to raise as much as she can for the charity by conquering one of her fears and taking part in a charity skydive at an airfield in Swindon on May 30.

Geoff, who was 78, was diagnosed a year-and-a-half before he died but doctors believe he could have been suffering with the disease for many years.

Sam said: “My grandad suffered from myeloma and passed away last year so we are doing it in his memory.

“My dad and my brother are also doing it.

“In a recent study, 97 per cent of people asked didn’t know what it was so I am hoping to raise awareness of it as well. It is such a worthy cause. I had no idea what it was.

“I am terrified but at the same time I am looking forward to it and I am really excited. It will make a big difference having my family with me to spur me on for the cause.”

She added: “He was truly a kind, caring and generous man with a brilliant sense of humour. He loved the outdoors and led a very active lifestyle for as long as he could.

“He was a wonderful husband to my nanny, a fantastic dad of four, special grandad of eight and even a great-grandad of three.”

To sponsor Sam on her skydive, visit the webpage justgiving.com/sam-tymms.