A MUM who battled with severe mental health problems has jumped out of a plane at 10,000 feet to raise money for a mental health charity.

Lizi Walker, 43, from Malton, who has a fear of heights, did the skydive at Bridlington Airfield for the charity Scarborough Whitby and Ryedale (SWR) Mind.

She had set a target of £375 to raise through the skydive - but has smashed that, raising almost £1,000.

Lizi said: “I felt really nervous beforehand. When I did the skydive it was brilliant. The adrenaline that shoots up your body is amazing. I didn’t look down until we were half-way, but I had my eyes open the whole time. I was buzzing afterwards. I cried.”

Lizi was helpd through a difficult time in her life by community support worker Sharon Van Ee from SWR’s Side by Side project.

Last year, Lizi, who has complex post-traumatic stress disorder, suffered anxiety and depression, which became so severe that she found it difficult to leave her house.

She said the help she received from SWR Mind gave her a new lease of life.

“Only I know how far I’ve been and how far I’ve come,” she said. “When I think about it, in the past six months I’ve been to Morocco and helped out at an orphanage, jumped out of a plane and I camped with a friend at Summer Solstice at Stonehenge along with 500 other people. Last year, I actually found it hard to even leave my bedroom.

“It’s a great feeling to have been able to give something back for all their help and support and it feels really rewarding know that I will be helping other people like me.”

Sophie Hall, CEO of SWR Mind, said: “It’s amazing that Lizi, who is afraid of heights, has done a parachute jump for us – it was a massive challenge and we are really grateful.

“I hope that by Lizi sharing her story, it shows people that things can get better and it gives hope for all of us who struggle with our mental health.”

To sponsor Liz, go to justgiving.com/fundraising/elizabeth-walker2017. For details on SWR, go to swrmind.org.uk