Meningitis victim Able Sharp, who has been battling the legacy of the brain disease for almost 20 years, is aiming to make a 15,000ft parachute jump to raise fund for the centre where he is studying.

Able was struck down by meningitis when he was just 20 months old and is unable to walk as a direct result of the disease.

Despite his condition, he has fought his way through mainstream school – attending Dartington Primary School and King Edward VI College in Totnes. He then undertook vocational training at South Devon College for three years.

He works as a youth club leader in Newton Abbot and, despite his disabilities, he goes riding, skiing and plays power wheelchair football for the Plympton-based Ocean City team.

For the last four months, he had been studying at Hannahs base at the former Seale Hayne agricultural college near Newton Abbot.

Now Able wants to support Hannahs by going sky diving to raise funds – with the assisted jump taking place at Dunkeswell airfield near Honiton.

Able, who lives with mum Alex in Dartington, explained he would be making the jump on March 10 this year.

He is lucky to be alive. A passerby at a bus stop in Totnes spotted the ill youngster with mum Alex when he was just 21 months old.

Alex thought that Able as suffering from flu and was on the way to the doctor’s surgery, but passerby Marie Lord spotted the signs of meningitis and called an ambulance.

Able was rushed to hospital and ended up in the Bristol Children’s Hospital in a critical condition.

The disease left Able unable to walk and suffering from a lifetime legacy from the disease.

Alex said: “The community has been so kind and friendly all the way from primary school.

“People have been warm and inclusive to Able and he has been right through mainstream school.”

Anyone who wants to support Able in his parachute jump can do so by visiting justgiving.com/fundrais ing/ableskydive.