Telford teenager plans 50 fundraisers after taking a leap of faith

Tia performed her parachute jump at an airfield near Whitchurch, to mark her 16th birthday. The skydive raised £400 for One Vision Shropshire, a charity which provides support for children who are blind or partially sighted.

Tia, of Trench Road, Trench, said she intended to stage a charity event each birthday up to the age of 65.

She used her birthday money to pay for the £260 cost of the dive, plus and extra £100 to have the event filmed, so that all the sponsor money will go directly to the charity.

Tia said she found it a nerve-wracking experience, but that it was definitely worthwhile to help such an important cause.

She said: "It was so so scary I honestly thought I was never going to do it.

"I thought I wouldn't be able to do it because of the height. I am so so happy, it was such an amazing experience."

Tia, who is studying animal management at Walford and North Shropshire College in Oswestry, said she hopes to now raise money for a range of charities over the coming years.

She added: "I was told by a family friend, due to her daughter being impaired, about the charity and was so inspired in their work that I knew that this was going to be the first charity I was going raise money for.

"Each year I am hoping to be raise as much money as possible for charities that are not always that well known, but do amazing things to help and support people within Shropshire."

She carried out the jump at Skydive Tilstock Parachute Club at Tilstock airfield near Whitchurch on Saturday. She had to receive training before taking the plunge, which she performed in tandem with her instructor.

She added: "I'm just inspired by charities anyway, and I thought I would just do something every year to raise money," she added.

Tia actually turned 16 in August last year, but had to wait until now to get a slot to perform the jump.

Future challenges on her wish list include swimming with sharks and a journey around the world.