TWO Hampshire sisters took the ultimate leap of faith to remember their late grandfather on his birthday.

Lucy Martin, 23, and her sister Katie, 19, from Romsey braved a skydive in memory of Ken Tarrant, and raised almost £1,000 for Alzheimer’s Research UK in the process – a charity close to the family’s heart.

The jump took place on what would’ve been Ken’s 80th birthday.

Lucy said she and her sister felt the skydive would be a nice tribute to their grandfather.

She added: “It was also a good way to try and raise lots of money for Alzheimer’s, as our grandad had suffered with dementia for four years prior to his death. He was a great guy, who enjoyed life so this was the perfect way to celebrate his birthday. He was brought up in Mill Lane, Romsey and was a well known and very loved man by all.

“We have raised almost £1,000 so far for Alzheimer’s Research UK as it’s a charity close to all our family’s heart.

“We lost our other Nan in 2014 to it and our Grandad in 2016. It’s a heartbreaking disease for all the family and everyone close so we want to try and raise as much money and awareness as we can. This is only the start of our fundraising campaign for two amazing people.”

Lucy said she hoped Ken would be proud of their fundraising feat.

“If I’m being honest if he was still here and in good health he would have probably done it with us,” she said.

“He would be so proud that we were raising money and pushing ourselves to do so for such an amazing cause.”

Lucy added: “It was the most amazing experience either of us have ever endured.

“You just can’t explain the feeling when you’re hanging over the edge of the plane. We were both sat on the plane awaiting to jump giggling and laughing just looking forward to what was going to happen next. It’s just so surreal, like nothing either of us have ever felt or done before.”

Asked if they would do it again, Lucy added: “Most definitely! We are already planning our next jump with our brother and other family members; we both cannot wait to get back up there, it is a truly wonderful experience.

She said she was also planning to abseil down the Spinnaker Tower for the charity.