A DOTING Reading dad is overcoming his fear of heights to help raise money for the UK’s largest meningitis charity, after tragically losing his three-year-old daughter to the disease.

Avais Hussain will be joining a team from the University of Southampton’s Audiology Implant Service (AIS), who had been supporting his deaf daughter Ayesha until she lost her life to meningitis in June 2017.

Money raised will go towards charity Meningitis Now, which supports people living with the impact of the disease, helps raise awareness and supports research.

Avais said: "Meningitis is a terrible disease that affects many people every day – my family and I have experienced the affects first hand.

"Ayesha was three years old and was born profoundly deaf.

"She was such a beautiful little girl, full of life.

"She was supported by the AIS for her hearing – the team at AIS had seen Ayesha make great strides in her hearing tests and exceed expectations."

Avais said that last year, a few members of AIS decided to get together and raise money for Meningitis Now in memory of Ayesha.

So far, the team has already held cake sales and taken on a cycle ride from Bristol to Bath.

Now three brave team members are preparing for a skydive to raise even more funds.

Avais said: "Shock horror, I have decided to join the AIS team to support them in their fundraising – along with facing my own fear of heights!

"And in the build up to the skydive I will also be running the Sage Half Marathon, so hoping to get lots of support and donations for the charity."

AIS have set a target to raise £6,000 – and are quickly closing in on that.

To help the team hit the full amount, visit their fundraising page here.