STUDENT nurse Tilly Martindale, who is recovering from a brain tumour, could be forgiven for wrapping herself in cottonwool. Instead the plucky 20-year old is shortly planning to chuck herself out of a plane at 10,000ft to raise money for brain tumour res

STUDENT nurse Tilly Martindale, who is recovering from a brain tumour, could be forgiven for wrapping herself in cottonwool.

Instead the plucky 20-year old is shortly planning to chuck herself out of a plane at 10,000ft to raise money for brain tumour research.

She said: "It will be my first ever tandem skydive and I hope to raise lots of money to help beat brain tumours. I've already been promised more than �2,000."

Tilly, of Hopkins Crescent, Sandridge, was just 18 when she was diagnosed with a brain tumour.

The former pupil of Sandringham School, St Albans, said: "It took ages to be diagnosed as I kept being told it was different things. I had terrible headaches and kept being sick. It was awful."

Since then she has had two operations with 90 per cent of the tumour being removed. Her latest scan shows it has nearly disappeared.

Tilly, a student nurse at Oxford Brookes, said: "It has been hard on my family and friends but they have been brilliant. Brain Tumour UK helped my mum and dad when they needed support and information so that is why I have decided to do this. I want to help raise more awareness about brain tumours.

"I've always wanted to do a skydive and now I just can't wait to do it."

You can support Tilly's fundraising skydive on May 1 by making a donation online at: www.justgiving.com/ Tilly-Martindale

What is Brain Tumour UK?

n Founded in 1997, BTUK has an impressive track record of providing practical and emotional support to brain tumour patients and their families;

n The charity challenges the notion that brain tumours are a rare form of cancer and seeks to educate policymakers and the public regarding the profound and complex impact that brain tumours have on the lives of those affected, while acting to improve access to information and support, and enhancing treatment and care;

n For more about BTUK and how to support its work, visit the website at www.braintumouruk.org.uk or if you are in need of confidential advice, call the helpline on 0845 4500 386.