A DEVOTED daughter is preparing for a charity skydive in memory of her father, who died from an undiagnosed heart condition.

Henry Knight-Willis, who worked as a health nurse at Dudley's Bushey Fields Hospital, died suddenly on October 20 last year, aged 49.

Keen to keep his memory alive, his daughter Shari Lawrence-Willis has decided to face her fears and jump out of a plane to raise funds for Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY).

The 20-year-old said: "As a young person who unexpectedly lost a parent to a genetic condition causing sudden cardiac death, it's a cause very close to home and dear to my heart.

"Every week in the UK at least 12 fit and healthy young people die of undiagnosed cardiac conditions - and like the case for my dad, a massive 80 per cent of these people experience no symptoms, which as you can imagine makes research, awareness and testing for these conditions so incredibly important.

"CRY strive to prevent all young sudden cardiac death through raising awareness, heart screening, medical research, and supporting affected families.

"Using this challenging experience to make a positive difference means the world."

Shari, who is in the second year of her management course at Warwick University, said she was "nervous" ahead of the skydive on May 19.

She added: "I thought about doing a sponsored walk but then I thought I should do something outside my comfort zone and face my fears as life is so short and unpredictable."

Shari, who lives in Perry Barr, is hoping to raise £300 by May 10 but said it would be "magnificent" to surpass her target.

Donations can be made via www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/shari-sponsor-skydive.