A GRANDMOTHER whose grandson has Autism is set to tackle a sky dive to raise money to help him live with his disability.

Ruth Clarkson, from Barnoldswick will jump out of a plane at 11,000ft to get six-year-old Michael Bond an Autism assistant dog.

Little Michael’s autism means he has problems with his speech and socialising with people.

His grandmother hopes to raise £7,500 to fund an assistant dog from charity Autism Lifedogs, which provides the pets for children with autism and other developmental difficulties.

The sky dive will see Ms Clarkson jump in tandem out of a plane with an instructor from Black Knights Parachute Centre in Cockerham, Lancaster on August 5.

Ms Clarkson said: “Michael has autism and struggles with everyday events and myself and his mum Sarah are wanting to get him an assistant dog but need help to get the money for us to be able to make his life so much better.

“He’s not had an assistant dog in the past as there is a high demand for these pets among people with autism.

“He had to be assessed for an application and thankfully now we’ve been successful with our application.

“Michael’s speech is minimal, he has problems socialising with people and also other developmental problems that affect his walking.

“An Autism assistant dog is specially trained to help him with his condition and his communication.

“The dog has a harness on and he can walk with the dog on the lead and help him keep calm.”

But Ruth said Michael, who lives with his mum Sarah Clarkson and little 11-month-old brother Daniel, cannot have the dog, which would be with him 24 hours a day, until the money is raised to buy it for him.

Ruth said: “The aim behind this tandem sky dive is just to raise as much money as possible to help him get an autism assistant dog.

“I will jump out of a plane in tandem with another instructor, and I will be all strapped up of course.

“The idea to do this came from my sister who has done a sky dive in the past.

"I thought I might as well give it a go.

“I’m excited but nervous at the same time.”

To donate money to Ms Clarkson appeal people can visit her fundraising page https://www.gofundme.com/umufk2-autism-assistant-dog.