A PLUCKY Frith End woman is preparing to tackle a lifelong fear head on in a bid to raise hundreds of pounds for a charity close to her heart.

Sheena Button, 58, battled against breast cancer for a year, and had to endure a mastectomy to her left breast followed by a reconstruction, and a lumpectomy to her right breast.

Now two years after she had her operation, Mrs Button, of Grooms Farm Lane, is gearing up to jump from a plane at 10,000 feet to raise cash for Breast Cancer Care, despite a fear of heights.

Mrs Button, who is co-director of Button Carpets in Farnham, told The Herald: "I absolutely hate heights but it is just a challenge. I want to do something to raise money for other women like me."

The idea of taking part in the challenge came last Christmas when Mrs Button attended a carol service with a group of women who she met through Bosom Buddies, a local support group for those who have been through, or affected by, breast cancer.

"One of the women said about doing a jump - that is really where it all started," Mrs Button said.

"There is going to be four of us from the group doing it as well as my daughter, Emma, and one of the other women's daughters."

Mrs Button has raised around £150 to £200 so far, but she is hoping to have raised at least £500 by the time she takes the plunge from above Bicester on October 24.

"I'm going to draft a letter and send it out to absolutely everybody I know," she said.

"I'll just be asking for people to donate as much, or as little, as they want. My husband Tony has been really supportive - straight away he said he would give me £100."

Mrs Button admitted that had she not suffered from breast cancer, she probably would not have done the challenge.

"If I hadn't have had breast cancer, I don't think the opportunity would have come up," she said.

"It was all through Breast Cancer Care and the jumps are being held all over the place in October to mark Breast Cancer Awareness month."

Mrs Button is now nearly half way through her course of follow up appointments, before she is given the all clear by doctors.

"I'm two years down the line since my operation but I see my consultant every six months and then I see the oncologist every six months. They sign you off after five years," she said.

"Although it has been two years, I'm am only just beginning to feel back to normal as because I had a reconstruction as well, it takes a lot longer."

Her daughter Emma, 28, is helping her mum to prepare for the jump by joining a gym in Farnham with her so they can get fitter together before the big day.

Miss Button works as cabin crew for BMI at Heathrow, but although she is used to heights, she admitted that jumping from a plane would be a whole new experience.

"It will be very different - jumping out of a plane rather than working in one," she said.

She said that her mother's fight against breast cancer had brought the whole family closer together.

"Obviously we were devastated when we first found out, but you have got to pull together and work as a family and get through it somehow," Miss Button said.

"She was in and out of hospital over that year and she was on drugs. I think we all learned from it really - it brought the whole family closer together."

Breast Cancer Care is still appealing for more people to take to the skies for parachute jumps to be held at more than 20 locations across the country next month.

Every Sunday during October, centres have been booked specifically for Breast Cancer Care supporters.

Among those also planning to take part in the adrenaline-powered activity to raise cash for the charity is Alex Ford, the charity's director of fundraising and marketing, who has also previously been treated for cancer herself.

"There's been a sharp rise of women over 40 wanting to parachute jump this year, most of whom have been treated for breast cancer and now want to give something back," she said. 

"For many, including myself, cancer is a life-changing experience and encourages people to fulfil their personal aspirations, so parachute jumping seems to be top ten on most women's list, including mine!"

For further information on the parachute jumps, or to take part, call the events hotline on 020 7384 4693, e-mail [email protected]">[email protected] or visit the charity's website at http://www.breastcancercare.org.uk">www.breastcancercare.org.uk. The minimum sponsorship is £350.