A DISABLED woman will take to the skies across Weymouth Bay to raise money for Weldmar Hospicecare Trust.

Sheree Tebbutt is undertaking the challenge as part of the charity’s Go for Gold campaign, which is backed by the Dorset Echo and encourages people to achieve a personal goal in return for sponsorship.

Mrs Tebbutt, 54, plans to paraglide across the bay on her birthday in August, despite being wheelchair bound.

She also plans to take part in the charity’s Midnight Walk in Weymouth in her wheelchair.

Mrs Tebbutt, of Franklin Road, said: “Being disabled does not stop me fundraising, and I would do it even if I were not in a wheelchair.

“The Weldmar Hospicecare Trust is a charity that’s very close to my heart.”

She added: “I lost my mum two years ago and a friend in February. Another close friend lost her father recently and they were all helped by Weldmar in some way. The nurses and staff do a fantastic job.”

Mrs Tebbutt’s husband Phil also suffers from cancer.

The Go for Gold campaign aims to spark a summer of fundraising across Dorset for the charity’s vital services to people suffering from long-term illnesses and their carers and loved ones.

The Dorset Echo is media partner for the campaign, which runs until September, and it is hoped the cash will enable services to reach more people in their own homes.

The veteran fundraiser estimates she has collected around £3,000 since she began raising money for various good causes 15 years ago, and recently shaved her head for charity.

But the paraglide will be the first challenge of its kind.

Mrs Tebbutt is appealing for anyone who would like to help her achieve the challenge, by loan of a boat or instructor, to get in touch by emailing shezteb@hotmail.co. uk She said: “Fundraising for Weldmar means you are helping people with a limited time to live, and helping to give their family peace of mind.

“You never know if you might need their help one day.”