AN ILKLEY mortgage advisor is to undertake a charity skydive in memory of a colleague who tragically died a year ago.

Christine Tomlinson, of Ilkley, died suddenly on May 1 2015, aged just 55, from an undiagnosed and rare heart condition called Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD). The condition does not show many symptoms, which can range from mild discomfort to feelings associated with having a heart attack.

To mark the first anniversary, Caroline Smith, who lives in York but is based at the Ilkley branch of the Halifax, is bravely taking on the daredevil dive as a tribute to her friend and work colleague, raising money for Yorkshire-based national charity Heart Research UK in the process.

Caroline, also 55, is skydiving from Hibaldstow airfield Lincolnshire on the anniversary of Christine's death.

She said: “I am the same age as Christine so I wanted to do something challenging.

"I know it sounds daft, but when I am in the sky, it will mean I am closer to Christine, and when I jump I’ll be jumping with her. I’ll be scared, but I want to raise as much money as possible.

“SCAD is largely unknown, so I wanted to pick a charity that does research into hearts and, hopefully, can help people in the future."

Caroline added: “Christine was a huge part of Ilkley and everyone knew her. She was a devoted wife, mum and nana, and a truly amazing friend and colleague to many. If there was one word to describe her, it would be selfless.”

Caroline’s Halifax branch in Ilkley is match-funding £500 to boost her fundraising.

Visit justgiving.com/Caroline-Smith62 to sponsor her.