A WEST Bay lifeguard is getting set to brave new heights to raise funding for the RNLI.

RNLI lifeguard Emily Nineham and her colleague Charlie Lawrence, are gearing up to jump out of a plane at 10,000ft in a tandem skydive to raise money for the life-saving charity.

The duo have paid the full cost of the dive with their own funds, so all money raised will go directly to the RNLI.

Emily is pleased to be raising money for a charity she is passionate about helping.

She said: "The RNLI is a big part of my life, having first-hand experience in being a beach lifeguard for Weymouth, Greenhill, West Bay and Lyme Regis.

"I wanted to give something back to the charity that saves lives at sea.

"Being there in the moment of someone's greatest hour of need and putting yourself on the line to save a life, if I can help this amazing charity in any way I can, I will."

Emily also arranged a pub quiz which took place at The Brewhouse and Kitchen in Dorchester last week, with all proceeds donated to the RNLI.

Charlie wanted to get involved with the RNLI after experiencing the dangers of the sea, having grown up close to the coast.

She said: "I've grown up around the water, so naturally I got in a few tough situations when I was younger.

"It made me realise how important it is that we have these people willing to help because what they are doing really does save so many lives.

"I wanted to help in any way I could, including working as a beach lifeguard last season, so when the opportunity came up to help raise money for the RNLI I couldn't turn it down."

The skydive will take place on Saturday, August 19. To support the challenge, visit justgiving.com/fundraising/emily-nineham