Two kind-hearted St Albans students are taking a leap of faith to raise money in aid of improving the emotional wellbeing and mental health of children and young people.

Beaumont School pupils Eleana Hackwood and Esme Mallett are doing a 10,000 feet tandem skydive for Young Minds Trust.

And the plucky pair have already raised close to £2,000 for the organisation.

The 16-year-olds said the charity was one that, “we are both extremely passionate about.

“We chose to raise money for Young Minds as in the past few years there has been a significant increase in the number of young people suffering from mental health conditions.”

Esme and Eleana explained they had, “seen many young people that we know experience mental health difficulties first-hand, so the cause is very close to both our hearts.”

Eleana added: “We want to raise awareness and understanding among young people so that if they are struggling with their mental health, they will know who to turn to, and give them the tools to support friends and family who may be struggling too.

“Most importantly we want to raise money for this amazing charity which does so much work to support young people and their families.”

The teens have garnered approval from those donating money for their pending skydive, with one impressed donor saying that thanks to vertigo he could barely cope with standing on chair to change a light bulb, let alone jump out of a plane.

Esme said: “We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has donated to or supported the cause; we have been touched and overwhelmed with the immense support.”

The duo’s skydive takes place in Brackley, Northamptonshire, on July 24.

To donate go to https://www.justgiving.com/Esme-Mallett