AN ANDOVER teenager, who lost a close friend to suicide, will complete a daring 10,000ft skydive to raise money for a mental health support charity.

Casey O’Neill, 17, plans to complete the terrifying charity challenge in July, in the hope of raising £700 for Papyrus.

The King Arthurs Way teenager, whose close friend took their own life after a battle with mental health, says she wants to take on the skydive to help others suffering from conditions like depression.

Casey, who asked that her late friend not be identified, said: “It is personal to me due to the amount of people who have committed suicide as a way out in Andover and I have personally experienced the loss of somebody close to me in this way and I want to try and prevent other people and families from going through this trauma.

“Losing somebody so close to me has really affected me because it has made me realise how strong some people can be on the surface but underneath they feel lost and alone.

“It’s opened my eyes to how unaware I was of mental health.

"There has been a lot of media coverage around the royal family discussing mental health and how it affected them, but it happens to everyone on every level whether you are part of the royal family or an ordinary family.”

She added: “I want to raise as much money which will hopefully make a difference to somebody’s life and make them think twice and realise there are other ways to cope with mental health.”

The skydive challenge, which takes place in Salisbury on July 6, will be Casey’s second thrillseeking fundraiser.

The 17-year-old, who begins her studies at Andover College in September, has previously climbed the O2 Arena in London to raise money for charity.

Ahead of July’s skydive the teenage thrill-seeker will also host a fundraising fun day on June 10.

The event, which will take place at the Wolversdene Club from 10am, is set to include a bouncy castle, face painting, a raffle and a barbecue.

Proceedings will go towards Casey’s fundraising target of £700.