A DARING Dunfermline woman has taken a leap of faith for her dad, who has been diagnosed with a brain tumour the size of a grapefruit.

Lizzie Windmill, 25, completed a freefall abseil from the Forth Bridge on June 9, with a drop of 165 feet to raise money for Brain Tumour Research.

Working in administration for Stagecoach in Cowdenbeath, Lizzie was inspired to take part because dad John Windmill, 49, who also lives in Dunfermline, was diagnosed in August last year with a meningioma brain tumour.

Lizzie was accompanied in her abseil challenge by best friend Claire Wright, who she has known since they were both at Dunfermline High School together. Claire, 25, also works for Stagecoach and the pair have raised more than £1,000.

Lizzie said: “It was horrible when dad was diagnosed with a brain tumour. He hadn’t been feeling well for a few months and we persuaded him to go to the GP. The next thing we knew he was sent for an MRI scan which revealed a tumour the size of a grapefruit.

"We are a very close family – I am one of five brothers and sisters and I have a four-year-old son, Lyle. We were all very scared.

"He is so inspiring and always seems to have a smile on his face – even now after all he has been through.

"Dad underwent successful surgery in the Great Western Hospital in Edinburgh but it has now been confirmed he has epilepsy. He has had to give up his driving licence and, as he was a coach driver, he is unable to work for the foreseeable future.

"I was shocked to discover how little funding goes into research into brain tumours. Dad is lucky that his tumour turned out to be low-grade and the surgeons are confident they have managed to remove pretty much all of it. However, less than 20 per cent of brain tumour patients survive beyond five years, compared with an average of 50 per cent across all cancers. It spurred me on to take on a challenge to help make a difference."

To sponsor Lizzie and Claire, go to https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/lizzy-claire