A Sheffield man prepares to jump out of a plane in memory of his beloved mother who wanted to be by his side UK News

But that’s what grieving Sheffield son Bradley Kirk is set to do, just months after the death of his 47-year-old mother put an end to the original suggestion that they do it together.

Gleadless native Sylvia Kirk wanted to take the plunge with Bradley. But she lost a battle with cancer on April 29, having previously believed she had beaten the disease.

Bradley, 24, from Norfolk Park, has now decided to make his mum’s dream come true – and use it as a chance to raise money for those who have helped her in her final months.

Sylvia was initially diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2018 – but quickly got it clear because it was diagnosed early.

However, two years later, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She fought the disease and was thought to have won her battle in November 2020.

But she was rediagnosed in February 2021 with a secondary form of cancer.

After the treatment, Bradley said she was initially fine. But after Christmas, it deteriorated.

She spent her final days at Rotherham Hospice before losing her battle on April 29. Bradley said hospice staff and volunteers cared for his mother in her final moments and made sure she was comfortable and pain free.

He added: “No amount of money will repay the compassion and care these guys bring to their work.”

Bradley is full of praise for the work of the hospice, which he describes as a special and peaceful place.

But he regrets not having parachuted while his mother was alive.

He said: ‘My mum and I wanted to do a skydive but neither dared to book it.

“I was terrified. We were looking to do it, but she got too sick to go on and do it. Even when he was bedridden, she still wanted to do it.

“She wasn’t scared – she would have just stood up and done it.

“She never had much time for herself – she was quite selfless.

“I wish we had done the skydive when mum was still alive. I stayed by her side the whole way. When she was sick, she then said ‘do it for both of us’.

“Mom would laugh and say she’ll believe it when she sees it. I am terrified of heights and practically passed out a quarter of the way up the London Eye!

“She will be there in spirit to cheer me on.”

He said work colleagues at OSL Cutting Technologies planned to come see him and supported his mother through her illness.

“In memory of my mother, I will keep my word and perform the parachute jump on August 16,” he added.

Money raised will go to Rotherham Hospice, Cavendish Cancer Care and independent carers.