A STOURPORT beauty queen took to the skies to help raise thousands of pounds for a charity close to her heart.

Dedicated fundraiser Sophie Blundell, who is the current Miss Wyre Forest, took a leap of faith out of a plane over Hilton Air Field and helped raise more than £1,300 for Crohn’s and Colitis UK.

The 23-year-old completed the daring challenge alongside her best friend Sophie Howard who was diagnosed with Crohn’s when she was aged 11.

All the funds they have raised will now be donated to the charity to go towards research into the autoimmune disease.

Miss Blundell said: “I loved doing the sky dive and I was not scared at all. The only time I felt a little nervous was when they opened the door and I thought ‘you’re going to be leaping out of that in a minute’!

“Sophie and I were in the plane with a number of professionals who were so relaxed and helped us feel comfortable.

“I have previously done a bungee jump and that was more nerve-wracking as I had to take the step alone and do it. For the sky dive we went in tandem with an instructor.

“As we were descending, the instructor said ‘welcome to my office’. It was so exhilarating and amazing and when we landed, we both wanted to go up and do it again!

“The main thing is we have raised a fantastic amount of money for a worthwhile charity.”

Last month, Miss Blundell raised £250 through a fire walk which she split between Blind Veterinarians UK and the Miss England charity Beauty with a Purpose.

She will compete in the semi-finals for the overall Miss England title at Kelham Hall on July 3.