A WOMAN is undertaking a skydive to raise money for a mental health charity.

Co-op worker Lauren Powell, 27, is jumping out of a plane to raise money for the charity MIND.

Miss Powell, of Devon Road, Ronkswood, said: "I chose MIND charity as they are our partner charity at Co-op, they deal with people who suffer from a whole variety of mental health issues which is something I've personally gone through in the past.

"So I want to raise awareness for them, everyone's story has the right to be heard and it's okay to say you're not okay and ask for help.

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"And that's what they do, offer support and advice.

"I am nervous for the skydive, it's something I have never done before but I have always wanted to do one.

"I will be doing the skydive by myself in terms of Co-op staff. It's a tandem skydive so I'll be attached to a professional."

Miss Powell, a store manager at the Co-op in Evesham Road, has set up a Just Giving page.

She said: "I want to share with you my story, mental health is something I have personally been battling for a long time.

"I was too afraid to speak up, open up and share my darkest thoughts.

"It can be a very lonely and isolating time for someone to go through.

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"Every year, one in four of us will experience a mental health problem.

"But hundreds of thousands of people are still struggling.

"It took me a while to realise that mental illness is not your personal failure, it doesn't define who you are, you need to fight the war within to survive the battle outside.

"Not enough people come forward to tell their story, through fear of judgement, fear of no one caring or understanding. But this is your time; your story matters.

"So to help raise awareness I have signed up for a charity skydive on July 4."