A KIND-hearted Kilwinning teen has revealed plans to take to the skies in a bid to raise funds for a charity that's very close to her heart.

Skye Nelson is set to mark her 16th birthday on August 10 this year - and while many teens would use the occasion to celebrate, Skye will be using her landmark birthday to help others.

Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald: Skye Nelson will be completing the skydive.

The caring youngster will be completing a charity skydive - or in her case a 'Skye dive' - that day in a bid to raise funds for Children's Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS).

It is a cause very close to home for Skye, whose sister, 11-year-old Ava, was diagnosed with a highly aggressive brain tumour, called a glioma, in June 2022.

A glioma is a tumour that forms when glial cells grow out of control. Normally, these cells support nerves and help your central nervous system work.

The cancer, identified by specialists at Crosshouse Hospital, has been described as "inoperable and incurable", and life has been hectic for Ava and her family since the devestating diagnosis.

Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald: Ava Nelson with her mother Jackie Dunlop.Ava has undergone intense radiotherapy and chemotherapy on a number of occasions since then, and is currently staying at Robin House children’s hospice in Balloch, just a short distance from the stunning scenery of Loch Lomond.

While it's been an enormously challenging time for all of Ava's family, her mother, Jackie Dunlop, says the hospice team have been fantastic since day one.

She commented: "We have been here a few months now and honestly the staff have all been amazing, not only to my wee warrior but to us as a family.

"The love, care and compassion they show us is out of this world. They are all angels."

Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald: Ava Nelson with her mother Jackie Dunlop.

It's that remarkable level of care which has inspired Skye to give back to the CHAS charity, which runs both Robin House and its sister hospice, Rachel House in Kinross.

Jackie added: "As a family we want to try and give a little something back to the charity, so my daughter, who will be turning 16 on the day of the jump, wants to do a sky dive to raise as much funds as possible to thank them for all the help, love and support they have shown to us all."

A fundraising page has been set up for Skye's dive, with the youngster aiming to raise £1,000 from her effort.

Already the Kilwinning teen is well on track to smash through her goal, raising nearly £250 in her first 24 hours of fundraising.

Anyone wishing to find out more, or make a donation, can do so online at tinyurl.com/SkyesSkydive.