A WIDOW who took a leap at 12,000ft on the first anniversary of her New Inn husband’s death has helped raise £20k for charity.

On September 28 last year, Rhys Parker, 36, lost his fight against Lupus (SLE) a condition where his immune system attacked his healthy cells, tissue and organs.

Since then, his widow Emma, family and friends have been raising money for two lupus charities, Lupus UK and Hibbs Lupus Trust, by taking part in a host of activities including cycle rides, zip wire challenges, cake sales and runs.

On Sunday, Mrs Parker, 39, and her friend Jo McDonagh, 40, completed a sky dive in Swansea.

Speaking afterwards, Mrs Parker said: “It was amazing. The adrenalin rush was just what I needed and certainly focused my mind on elsewhere rather than wallowing on the anniversary of Rhys' death.”

The event took place as the group of 20 fundraisers announced that they have raised £20,000.

“It is more than I ever thought imaginable,” Mrs Parker added.

“What’s struck me is how much effort people that I don't even know, and sometimes not even people that Rhys' knew, go to.

“My friends and family overwhelm me every day with their support, but it warms my heart that Rhys is remembered so fondly by so many people.”

Only last year, Mrs Parker spent their eighth wedding anniversary at the bedside of Mr Parker who had fought heart and kidney problems as a result of the illness, but she said he never complained.

On September 20, Mrs Parker returned home to find her husband not breathing. He had suffered a heart attack which ambulance crews managed to stabilise him from, but he remained in a coma.

Mr Parker, from New Inn, was diagnosed with the condition in 2000, at the age of 23.

The couple met in New Inn 11 years ago and they got married on September 23, 2005.

But he started to get ill not long afterwards and despite being on medication to control the condition, his kidney function was dropping.

In 2012, his kidneys got worse and doctors were unsure if his heart would cope with a kidney transplant and sadly he died from a heart attack.

To make a donation following Mrs Parker’s sky dive visit www.doitforcharity.com/EmmaParker