Father Dale Thorpe is casting aside his fear of heights and preparing to complete his first ever parachute jump to say thank you to The Christie who help care for his son.

Little Lucas Thorpe, who turns two years old in October, was diagnosed with a rare form of bladder cancer in September 2011. After undergoing months of chemotherapy he then travelled to America for specialist treatment with his dad Dale, mum Jodie Rothwell, and sister Molly, five.

The 28 year old from Atherton is aiming to raise £5,000 for The Christie, a specialist cancer centre in Manchester, where Lucas still has regular check ups, following the skydive on Sunday 19th August.

Dale, who will complete the tandem jump along with two close friends, said; "I've never done anything like this before and I'm scared of heights, so it will be a challenge but it's for such a good cause.

"I've seen first hand what people go through when they have cancer. People may think I'm brave to put aside my fears for a few moments but my little boy Lucas has been so brave every single day."

Lucas travelled to America for Proton Beam Therapy an advanced form of radiotherapy which can target tumours far more precisely than conventional methods. In April 2012, it was announced The Christie is set to bring Proton Beam Therapy to Manchester towards the end of 2017.

Dale, a creative design manager for a menswear brand, added: "We were overjoyed when his doctors in America confirmed his bladder was cancer-free just a few months ago.This technology helped Lucas beat his cancer without all the gruelling effects of conventional radiotherapy and to have had that service locally would have made a massive difference.

"I just wanted to give something back to The Christie to say thank you and I'm planning to do something every year to raise money as long as I am fit and able to do so."

While in America Lucas, who also has an older brother Jordan, nine, became ill with septicaemia which affected his feet and fingertips. Dale added: "Lucas lost most of his fingertips and also lost the tips of his toes on his left foot and half of his right foot. He battled through and now seeing him walk makes me feel very proud. He is catching up quickly and his hair has grown back."

The Christie, along with its partners Central Manchester University Hospital NHS Trust, Salford Royal NHS Trust and Manchester Academic Health Science Centre and with support from Manchester City Council, worked collaboratively on this Proton Beam Therapy project.

Proton Beam Therapy is beneficial for many child cancer cases, but is also used to treat brain cancers, head and neck cancers and sarcomas.

Dale will complete his skydive as part of 'Daredevil days for The Christie' along with almost 40 other fundraisers at Black Knight Parachute Centre in Lancashire. If you feel inspired and have what it takes to become a Christie daredevil visit www.christies.org/daredevil for more information or call The Christie charity's sporting events team on 0161 446 3400.

Lucas' family are also organising a Disney-themed fun day at Hindsford Football Club, Tyldesley to raise money for The Christie and Royal Manchester Children's Hospital on Sunday 26th August.

• To sponsor Dale please visit www.justgiving.com/christiesjump4lucas

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