A TEENAGER will be going to great heights for a cause that has supported her family since her grandfather was diagnosed with an incurable disease.

Molly Chance will be taking the plunge and skydiving to raise cash for the Motor Neurone Disease Association, which funds global research into the condition.

It is a charity close to the 17-year-old’s heart as her grandfather Keith Moore, 80, was struck by the progressive disease about three years ago.

The Stourport High School and VIth Form Centre pupil will be heading to Nottingham on Sun - day, where she will fall thousands of feet while attached to an instructor in the hope of raising hundreds of pounds.

“I’ve always wanted to do a skydive so I thought if I did it for charity it would be a better experience and I would get something out of it,” Molly said. “I’m a bit nervous but I’m really excited.”

She said the family had received a lot of support from the charity since her grandfather, who has gone from being “fit and healthy” to confined to a wheelchair, was diagnosed.

“I used to go on walks with him but now he’s in a wheelchair and it’s affected me seeing him like that,”  Molly explained.

Her father, Nigel Chance, who will be watching the skydive, said he was proud of her decision to take the plunge.

“I think it’s brilliant what she’s doing,” he said. “One day she said ‘I’m going to do a parachute jump for motor neurone disease’. Being a parent watching it will be nerve-wracking but I fully support her.

“It’s for a very good cause and it’s important to the family because the support we’ve been getting from the charity has been brilliant. It’s a pretty nasty disease and the association is trying to find a cure for it.”

He added: “[Keith] was one of the fittest people I’ve ever known and he’s now confined to a wheelchair. Molly has coped with his illness really well.”

Molly said she has already beaten her £400 target, raising more than £1,000, adding she wanted to thank the people who had supported her so far. People can sponsor Molly at justgiving.com/MollyChance