A graphic designer is set to take on a challenge of a lifetime in a bid to remember a much-loved relative

Tom Smith, of Head Street, Halstead, is set to undertake a tandem skydive in memory of aunt, Lucy Smith, who sadly died aged 43 from sepsis back in 2015.

Mr Smith, 29, will be completing the challenge alongside two of his aunts’ friends, Sarah and Alice Carpenter, who are from Billericay.

The trio have set themselves a target of raising £5,000 for UK Sepsis Trust, which offers support and advice to people diagnosed with the life threatening condition.

Mr Smith said: "I’m absolutely terrified but at the same time quite excited.

“It felt like a good idea at the time and you think its never really going to happen but now its getting closer its starting to sink in.

“My aunt loved this kind of thing. She did a skydive when she went travelling and loved it so much she went back and did it again the next day.

“It just seemed like the perfect way to remember her.

“We are trying to get most of the family to come down on the day to watch and cheer us on. It’ll be quite poignant for us because we are remembering my aunt.

“But we also want to raise awareness about sepsis, which is not something I knew a lot about until my aunt got it. People don’t realise just how dangerous it is and how bad it can be.”

Mr Smith’s mum, Caroline Mackim, is helping out with the fundraising side of the campaign.

She has previously created charity Christmas cards to raise cash for UK Sepsis Trust and she believes her sister would have approved of the latest fundraising scheme.

She added: "Lucy was always a bit of a daredevil and ended up doing quite a few skydives.

"She absolutely loved doing things like that so I’m sure she would have approved of what they are doing.

"Of course we want to raise as much money as we can and get to our target. But it would be great to get to £4,500 because that would cover the cost of a change over team and help save lives."

The skydive takes place on Saturday, September 30, which coincides with the final day of Sepsis Awareness Month.

To make a donation, visit justgiving.com/fundraising/lulu-bell