A CLOSE friend of much-loved charity fundraiser Sara McDonald is to leap from the sky to raise money for her family and funeral costs.

Tania Wasilewski-Norman said she wanted to make sure Ms McDonald's children were not left worrying about finances after their mother's death.

She also hopes to raise awareness of mental health issues and pay tribute to her friend when she performs the skydive on August 5.

Ms McDonald was found dead in Shotover Park in Headington on July 12, a day after she had sent a worrying text to a colleague at South Central Ambulance service where she worked as an emergency care assistant.

Mrs Wasilewski-Norman met her 13 years ago when they both worked at Thames Valley Police.

The police officer said: "Sara was very upbeat and very bubbly, she could not do enough to help people.

"She loved her children to bits and was one of those people who lit up a room because she was really fun.

"I wanted to help out if I could.

"When I was 18 I lost my dad and I had to find the money to pay for the funeral.

"I thought about that and her kids and the stress of the funeral is not something they need.

"So I checked with her family and booked the skydive."

The Bicester mum-of-one will leap from a plane above Hinton Airfield near Brackley in Northamptonshire at 9am on August 5.

She has already brought in £1,565 of a £3,000 target and every penny will go towards Ms McDonald's family.

A separate fundraising page has also been set up by others close to Ms McDonald, who also worked with Didcot-based charity Thong Rangers, to raise money for her family, but it has no connection to Mrs Wasilewski-Norman's skydive.

The 39-year-old said: "I am a bit apprehensive because I am a bit of a wuss but I am also excited to do something in Sara's memory.

"I want to show that everybody is thinking about her.

"People can come along and watch me do it and hear a lot of screaming from me probably.

"It is the first time I have ever been skydiving but it is something I have been intrigued by.

"If you do something a bit adventurous hopefully people will give you a bit more money."

An inquest opening into Ms McDonald's death heard she had been referred to a community mental health team following a visit to her GP at the start of June.

Mrs Wasilewski-Norman said: "I am also doing this to raise awareness about depression and the fact there are a lot of people out there who will be there for you if you are suffering.

"You need to feel that you can talk to someone about it."

To donate to Mrs Wasilewski-Norman visit crowdfunding.justgiving.com/tania-wasilewski-norman-sara

The other fundraising page, where £1,680 has been donated, can be found at crowdfunder.co.uk/remembering-sara