WHEN teenager Iona Kesteven was in the last months of her short life, she dreamed of doing a skydive with her best friend.

Iona died from cystic fibrosis last year without achieving that dream. But now her friend will attempt the challenge in her memory.

Molly Leaf, from Horsforth, had told Iona they would skydive together to raise funds to help people with the illness. And she is determined to go ahead with it in tribute to her friend, despite being terrified of heights.

Molly, 19, has set up a justgiving page, where she says: "Sadly, my best friend passed away due to cystic fibrosis and we always talked about raising money for the trust.

"Iona was never a girl that liked to do something simple. We talked about all different kinds of things, but the one thing I remember her saying was 'If only I was well enough to do a skydive, it would be so cool'. I said to her 'Don't worry, when you're better we will do it together'. Sadly, this wasn't possible, I will be raising money to raise awareness and to provide people with cystic fibrosis the same opportunities as others."

Although the skydive isn't until March 25, Leeds City College student Molly has already exceeded her original target of £500.

She said: "I have never done anything like this before and I am petrified of heights, but I'm looking forward to it."

Iona, who was also from Horsforth, knew her time could be limited and she married her boyfriend, Laurie, when she was 16. The illness left her struggling to breathe and to walk and in desperate need of a lung transplant. She was just 19 when she died.

Molly said: "She was really, really funny. She had a great sense of humour, and she was always making people laugh. She was very selfless and was always putting others before herself."

The money Molly raises will go to the Cystic Fibrosis Holiday Fund, which makes it easier for those with the disease to take a break from their normal surroundings.

Holiday fund general manager, Laurie Kate Howard, said: "Iona was an enthusiastic supporter of the CF Holiday Fund and had dreamed of doing a charity skydive with her best friend when she felt well enough. Molly is bravely going ahead with a jump in her honour."

Vist https://www.justgiving.com/Molly-Leaf to make a donation.