A woman whose best friend died of cancer is carrying out a promise she made to him when he was diagnosed with the disease.

Alice O’Dowd, from Birchmead Avenue, Pinner, lost Jack Homer, her closest friend of seven years, in May 2015 to leukaemia.

The 26-year-old explained how the diagnosis came as a huge shock to Jack – who was just 24 at the time – and, despite a hard battle against the condition, he was unable to beat it.

A bone marrow donation from one of his brothers and the constant love and support of his family and friends were ultimately not enough to save him.

Now, in his name, and to honour a promise she made when he was fighting the disease, Alice is gearing up to undertake a charity skydive on 5 August.

“We made a pact that I never thought I would need to fulfil. If Jack died, I was to do something ‘crazy’ – if he didn’t beat the cancer, nothing would beat my determination,” she said.

When Jack passed away, Alice booked the skydive on what would have been his birthday.

She is raising money for Leuka, a charity which funds research into leukaemia in the hope of introducing new treatments as quickly as possible.

“Jack was so positive and always great company. He made you smile within a couple of seconds of being with him,” Alice explained.

“It may have taken me two years to book this but, Jack, I am so looking forward to our conversation while I am up in the sky.”

To donate to Leuka on behalf of Alice, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/alice-o-dowd