A NURSE has jumped out of a plane to raise money for a volunteer project in Malawi.

Sara Fernandes, 30, of Fulham, raised more than £700 for international development charity VSO (Voluntary Service Overseas) through a sponsored skydive.

On January 19, she jumped from a height of 4,200m, in Évora, Portugal, to raise the cash for the HIV/maternal health project in Malawi.

She then flew to the African country in February and has been there for almost three months.

Ms Fernandes hopes to raise £1,500 through a range of activities and her efforts will not stop now she is in sub-Saharan Africa.

Her mother, Silvia Duarte, raised an additional £300 through a raffle.

Ms Fernandes said: “I panicked when I realised I was out of the plane and there was no turning back.

“Then my mind went really quiet and all I could think was ‘You are doing this for a good cause. Enjoy the fall’.

“Now that I am in placement and my perspective is different, I know the reality and I can say that I truly believe my work will have long-lasting impact.

“People are grateful that you have decided to give your time to share your skills and Malawians are very friendly and welcoming people.”

While in Malawi, she is teaching nursing students, giving lectures and helping with clinical assessments.

She has been qualified for eight years and worked for two in Lisbon, Portugal, before moving to London where she worked as a paediatric nurse at the Royal Brompton Hospital for the past five years.

VSO works in more than 30 of the world’s poorest countries, including Ethiopia, Bangladesh and Rwanda.

It has helped more than two million children, including 20,000 disabled children, get the education they deserve.

Its volunteers have trained more than 12,000 health professionals.

VSO UK director Angela Salt said: “Without volunteers like Sara, who kindly donate their time and share their skills and expertise, we simply would not be able to fight poverty and make a lasting difference to people’s lives in developing countries.

“I hope local people will get behind her fundraising efforts and help support our work in Malawi.”

Visit www.justgiving.com/SaraFernandes to make a donation.