A SKYDIVE involving 18 members of a Caerwent teenager's family and friends took place at the weekend to mark what would have been her 18th birthday.

Natasha Scott-Falber, died aged 14 on February 14, 2013, of Toxic Shock Syndrome from using her first tampon. Her family have set up TSS Aware to raise awareness of the symptoms.

They are working with FISCH, a children's charity, to help build a drop in centre in Iringa, Tanzania, in memory of Natasha.

To raise funds for the centre, a team of 18 took to the skies to plunge 10,000ft in memory of the teenager. This included Natasha's friends, boyfriend Tom Steer, mum Mandy Scott, nan Jean Earl who is 79-years-old and Joanna Cartwright, a TSS survivor.

The skydive was due to take place on Friday, which would have been Natasha's 18th birthday and also marks National Toxic Shock Syndrome Awareness Day but due to bad weather it had to be cancelled.

The team were able to take part in their skydive on Sunday.

Mandy Scott, Tash's mother, said: "It was amazing - absolutely amazing. To have all 18 of us able to do it was great. We had five planes in the end.

"My mum was amazing - she actually went even higher to 15,000ft.

"It's the most amazing feeling the free fall - you're travelling at about 130mph but you don't feel it."

Mrs Scott said skydiving was on top of the list for both her and her daughter of things they wanted to do but knew they would never do.

Mrs Scott said: "I was laughing about that when I was going up in the plane. I was thinking of Tash and thinking yes I have got the guts to do it and I am doing it."

The team haven't added up their total for the sponsored skydive but have already reached £3,500 towards their target of £4,200 towards building the centre in Tanzania.

Mrs Scott said: "On her birthday we went up to Tash, the four of us with Tom, my sister, her husband and their children came. We had a bottle of champagne and had a drink with her."

They also had a get together in a Caerwent pub where they let off purple balloons with messages for the teenager.

Pupils at Wyedean School where Tash was a pupil wore purple in memory of her to mark national Toxic Shock Awareness Day on February 26.

According to Toxic Shock Syndrome Information Service (TSSIS), around half the reported cases of TSS are associated with women using tampons, but it can also be caused by infections following burns, boils, insect bites or following surgery. The condition can be treated with antibiotics if diagnosed early.

For more information or to donate visit www.tssaware.org.uk/