MOST 18-year-olds are content to throw a big party to celebrate their birthday but one intrepid teen took to the skies for charity instead.

Holly Giles, of Pershore, chose to have a tandem skydive as a gift from her parents for her milestone birthday and used the free-fall experience to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

Miss Giles leapt from 13,000 feet at the Hinton skydiving centre in Brackley, Northamptonshire, gathering £1,000 for the charity which supported her grandmother when she suffered from breast cancer.

Her dad, Les Giles, said: “She was delighted with the support from friends and family to raise what is quite a significant amount for a one off fundraiser and totally loved the skydiving experience, showing no nerves at all and enjoying it immensely.”

Holly’s big leap was on Thursday, August 1.