A Norwich grandmother will plummet to earth at speeds of 120mph in a bid to raise money for the hospital supporting her grandson.

Wendy Alcock is taking the 12,000 foot sky dive as part of a series of fundraising challenges aimed at helping children like her grandson, Jackson Robinson, who is suffering from a rare illness of the immune system. The 59-year-old has already collected close to �40,000 for East Anglian Children's Hospices and hopes to reach a total of �50,000 by August.

The rest of the family is also supporting Wendy's cause, which she has called Challenge 60. Jackson's father, Paul, has cycled 380m from the Welsh coast to Lowestoft with Jackson's grandfather, Billy. Jackson's mum, Karen, has completed a half-marathon and Wendy's husband Richard plans to cycle 60 miles across Norfolk, despite having a recent hip operation.

The name of the campaign is inspired by the grandmother-of-five who is fundraising in her 60th year.

Mrs Alcock, of Old Catton, Norwich, plans to donate the money to Quidenham Children's Hospice near Attleborough, which has provided support to both Jackson and his parents Paul and Karen.

She said: 'The sky dive is something I would not have done if it was not for the fundraising. You need to do something which puts you out of your comfort zone.

'However, it is my grandson who is facing the real challenge.'

Jackson Robinson has the rare condition autoimmune enteropathy, which causes the body's immune system to attack the intestinal wall.

The 22-month-old, who has a six-year old sister Poppy-Mae and a five-year-old brother Blake, suffers from allergies and struggles to gain weight.

The result of his condition means he has to spend hours a day being fed through a tube.

'The care and support provided by EACH is invaluable to our family which is why I'm raising funds for the charity,' said Wendy, a retired head teacher of Catton Grove First and Nursery School.

'It has been such a difficult time for us all, but EACH has been there for us when we've needed them the most.

Wendy will complete her tandem sky dive at Beccles Airfield on Saturday June 11.

If you wish to make a donation to the Jackson Robinson fund for Quidenham Children's Hospice then visit www.jacksonrobinsonfund.co.uk

Are you raising money for a good cause? Contact reporter Ben Woods on 01603 772 439 or email ben.woods@archant.co.uk.