A graphic designer has followed in the footsteps of his late aunt and successfully completed a 12,000 foot skydive.

Tom Mackim, of Head Street, Halstead, completed the 2.3 mile jump with friends Sarah and Alice Carpenter.

The trio had signed up to do the dive in memory of Mr Mackim's aunt, Lucy Smith, as well as aiming to raise £5,000 for the Sepsis UK charity.

Ms Smith sadly died from Sepsis back in 2015 and was a keen skydiver herself.

Despite some nerves before his jump, Mr Mackim completed his dive and admits the whole experience had been both thrilling and emotional.

He said: "It was absolutely fantastic. I was quite composed leading up to it but after listening to the briefing before we went up I was petrified. I had no idea how high it was going to be until we were above the clouds.

"We were so high that at one point I was told we had to wait for the commercial airlines to clear.

"I sat on the edge and made sure I didn't close my eyes.

"My aunt loved doing this kind of thing and it was the thought of knowing she wasn't there to see it which made it emotional. It really brought it home and made it quite poignant for everyone."

Mr Mackim's mum, Caroline, helped out with the fundraising side of the skydive. The family smashed their £5,000 target having so far raised £6,028.

Though the campaign has proved a success, the Mackim family remain keen to raise awareness about the effects of Sepsis.

Caroline added: "We wanted to raise enough funds for a change team and we are delighted we have managed that. Everyone has been fantastic and really got behind this.

"We miss Lucy every day and want people to know what to too look out for.

"If you know the signs then you stand more of a chance of catching it before it's too late.

"You would be amazed at how many people have still not even heard of Sepsis let alone what what to look out for that's why public awareness is so important."

To find out more about the signs of Sepsis, visit sepsistrust.org.