A TEENAGER with cerebral palsy is to carry out at 15,000ft skydive to support families living with disabilities.

Sophia Banger, 16, suffers with cerebral palsy after he was born premature and suffering a stroke at birth.

Sophia has had numerous surgeries in the UK and the United States over the years, and is a full time wheelchair user.

Her family run a children's charity, The Knights Foundation, helping families with disabled children throughout Hampshire, Surrey and Berkshire.

The charity help with disabled equipment, sensory days out for disabled children and young carers, and respite stays at the new accessible and adapted Lodge in the New Forest.

The family purchased the Lodge in Lymington to allow disabled families to have a much-needed break away in a safe environment, which includes a full wet room, ramped access all round, and a hoist system for disabled children who are non-weight-bearing.

But due to the coronavirus pandemic, the family suffered a loss with the new Lodge.

Stephanie, Sophia's mum and marketing manager for the Knights Foundation, told the Daily Echo: "Having committed to the Lodge it would take four years to pay off, but with fundraising virtually non-existent during lockdown we have had to do things different with the Charity.

"Sophia came up with the idea of doing a skydive to fundraise for the Lodge and to push the boundaries, but also to give younger disabled children the hope that they can do what they want, they may just have to do things a little differently."

Sophia will be taking the 15,000ft plunge with the Red Devils on April 26 at Salisbury's Old Sarum Airfield.

Sophia said: "I am literally throwing myself into this for two very good reasons.

"One, I want to show younger children who have disabilities, that they can have the same thrills and sensory experiences as able bodied people.

"And two, I really want to help support other families with disabled children to have a much needed break in the fully adapted Knights Foundation Lodge."

Sophia has so far raised £3,829 for the Lodge and hopes to raise a total of £5,000.

To donate, visit: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/sophiabangerskydive.