FORMER Sheldon School student Rosie Brown has made the ultimate leap of faith to raise money for research into cystic fibrosis.

Miss Brown, 20, of Hunger-down Lane, Chippenham, jumped out of a plane on Sunday inspired by the plight of her two-year-old goddaughter Saira-Jane, who was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at eight weeks old.

Miss Brown, who works for P&D Manufacturing Ltd in Corsham, said she just wanted to do something to help her goddaughter.

“I’ve been really nervous but excited at the same time about it,” she said.

“When it came to it, it was the most amazing thing I’ve ever done. I loved it. I thought I’d be terrified but everyone put me at ease. The best bit was definitely the free-fall. You’re travelling for 40 seconds at 120 miles per hour, and it was unbelievable.

“It’s something I’ve always wanted to do but I was too scared before. I’ve never done anything like this at all, but I just want to raise as much awareness as possible of cystic fibrosis.

“Until Saira-Jane was born, I didn’t know anything about it, and I think that’s the case for a lot of people.”

She said the toddler has been unwell recently, and is currently on a feeding tube.

“It’s horrible when she’s not well,” said Miss Brown.

“She’s been in and out of the Royal United Hospital in Bath.”

Miss Brown’s mother Sarah Maw said: “I am so proud of Rosie.

“Saira-Jane is quite poorly, but she’s just a gorgeous girl, the life and soul. Cystic fibrosis is a lifetime disease, and so she’ll never recover fully, but the money will go towards gene therapy for the condition.”

Saira-Jane, who lives with her family in Bath, must take 20 enzyme tablets a day, various vitamins, supplements, mucus- thinning medication and antibiotics that she nebulises three times a day.

She also endures physiotherapy sessions three times a day, and every couple of months is given intravenous antibiotics several times a day for two weeks at a time, through a portacath permanently sited in her chest.

The condition is caused by a single faulty gene that controls the movement of salts through the body.

The internal organs, particularly the lungs and digestive system, become clogged with thick, sticky mucus, resulting in infections and inflammation and make it hard to breathe and digest food.

To donate, visit http://uk.virgin moneygiving.com/RosieBrown1 A charity auction and raffle to raise money for Saira-Jane will be held on May 3 at 7.30pm at Hall & Woodhouse, 1 Old King Street, Bath, BA1 2JW.

Tickets are £5, to include entry into a prize draw to win afternoon tea for two at Homewood Park in Bath, available by emailing SairaJanesCFfund@gmail.com or calling 07855 732292.