A BRAVE mother is set to face one of her biggest fears in an attempt to celebrate and honour the life of her son.
Cheryl Bird is making plans to do a parachute jump in memory of her son, Andrew, who died in September last year after falling into the river at Haverigg.
The 27-year-old was a familiar face around Millom and Haverigg and was well liked by many of the town's residents.
His death left a huge gap in the community but his mother is determined to make something positive from the tragedy.
She said: "I've never even been in a plane before and now I have to throw myself out of one at 14,000 feet.
"I'm scared of heights as well but I have done a bungee jump before for Help for Heroes.
"I've got to do it for Andrew and I will be taking a picture of him up with me."
Mrs Bird expects to complete the jump at Cark Airfield sometime over the summer, and is hoping to raise enough funds to install a number of defibrillators across the area in Andrew's memory.
After being approached by Jenny Brumby from Millom Health Action Group, Mrs Bird and her husband, John, agreed to unveil a new defibrillator in Andrew's name in Haverigg in the next couple of weeks.
Mrs Bird said: "When Andrew was pulled out of the river they tried to kick-start his heart.
"If it saves at least one life then he won't have died in vain. Something good has got to come out of it."
Mrs Bird believes her actions would have made her son proud, if not a little bit amused.
She said: "He would be proud and he would be laughing his socks off.
"But he will be right up there with me and just for a few minutes I will be closer to him."
Fondly remembered across town as a loveable, kind and fun-loving boy, Andrew's generosity will never be forgotten.
She said: "I think he would be so proud of me and his dad and I've got to do something positive rather than focusing on the negatives.
"If it helps other people in memory of Andrew it's a good thing.
"He is - not was- such a lovely, lovely boy. He is sorely missed and I love him and miss him every single day."
Read more:
Community in mourning over Millom man
Millom community unites in tribute to ‘one of those people who loved’
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