A MOTHER whose son died in a military exercise has raised more than £2,000 through a charity skydive.

Alicia Woodland, 66, from Penarth, was fundraising in memory of her son Paul and she decided to overcome her fear of heights at the same time.

She is supporting the Forces Support charity which was set up by Paul's widow Sian to help the families of military personnel and it had supported Alicia when she needed them.

Paul, who was known as ‘Woody’ to friends, died in October 2012 during a training exercise with the Royal Marines.

Two months before she took on the dive, Alicia was invited to Buckingham Palace to meet Princess Anne who praised her bravery in undertaking the challenge and wished her good luck.

Alicia completed the jump on Saturday, August 8, in perfect sunny conditions with temperatures of around 25C.

Another military mum, Andrea Johnson, had suggested doing a skydive with fellow military mums and Alicia agreed she would definitely do it.

The jump was from a whopping 10,000 ft and she was told not look down to avoid the risk of tumbling head first.

She said she was surprised with how quickly they get you into position, sat on the edge of the plane.

Alicia said: "I wanted to overcome my fears whilst doing something to make Paul proud as well and this seemed like the perfect opportunity.

I knew it was coming and the adrenaline rush took over and I started to really enjoy it."

Alicia said she was told to smile for the photograph to avoid her lips going wobbly as she hurtled towards the ground at 125 miles an hour for at least 30 seconds.

Before she took on the dive, Alicia was invited to Buckingham Palace to meet Princess Anne who praised her bravery in undertaking the challenge.

Alicia now says she is able to look at smaller heights without fear and is planning on doing another sky dive, this time at a spine tingling 15,000 ft.

"It was fitting to do something like this as it was part of Paul's training. I think he would have said something like 'good effort mum' in his military speak."

As donations continue to flood in, she hopes to do even more big things for the cause.

Alicia also has praised the support of the community who have stepped up to the plate, in particular Allen Sadler hair salon which provided significant sponsorship.

You can still donate by visiting https://www.justgiving.com/Alicia-Woodland/