Shirley Ballas, 62, embarks on an incredible 4,000-foot skydive as she completes her ‘Skyathlon’ to raise money for a suicide prevention charity following brother David’s tragic death

Shirley Ballas showed her daring side on Saturday when she embarked on an incredible 4,000-foot skydive to raise money for the CALM charity in honor of her late brother David.

The 62-year-old Strictly Come Dancing judge looked in high spirits as she jumped out of a plane over Peterborough and broke through the clouds at over 200mph as she completed the third of her ‘Skyathlon’ challenges this week.

Shirley and her family were devastated when her brother David, of Wallasey, Merseyside, died in 2003 at the age of 44 after suffering from depression.

And the star would certainly make David and her loved ones proud when she accomplished the daring feat of helping Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) help those struggling with life and prevent more from being lost to suicide.

Dressed in a white CALM T-shirt and yellow headband, Shirley looked terrified as she shuffled to the edge of the plane and prepared to jump into one of the oldest drop zones in the country with her instructor strapped to her.

Go girl! The 62-year-old Strictly Come Dancing judge looked in high spirits as she jumped out of a plane over Peterborough and broke through the clouds at over 200mph as she completed the third of her ‘Skyathlon’ challenges this week

However, she overcame her fears and soon soared through the air, enjoying the breathtaking views of the countryside and four counties on her way down.

Upon landing, Shirley showed her hands in which she had written her late brother David’s name.

Prior to her swim — in which she was also joined by two contest winners — Shirley recounted how her heart was “racing” and “thumping” in her chest as she expressed her nerve for the challenge.

But after completing the skydive, although she confessed that she was still “terrified,” she also found it “exciting.”

She said, “Today’s skydive was by far the hardest challenge, it was terrifying and thrilling at the same time, leaving the plane was the terrifying part, but floating among the clouds was the thrilling part.”

Shirley’s skydive completes the last of her three breathtaking ‘Skyathlon challenges, flying 200km/h down the fastest zipline in the world, while also completing an incredible 220m wing walk in support of CALM.

The charity’s helpline staff receive a 25% increase in calls during the summer months, speaking to someone in distress every 59 seconds.

Every day, 18 people in the UK take their own lives tragically. CALM exists to change this – by providing life-saving support, creating culture-changing campaigns and bringing people together across the country to reject the lives of miserable people.

Incredible: The star would surely make David and her loved ones proud when she accomplished the daring feat of helping Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) help those struggling with life and prevent more from being lost to suicide

Petrified: Dressed in a white CALM T-shirt and yellow headband, Shirley looked terrified as she shuffled to the edge of the plane and prepared to jump

Incredible: However, she overcame her fears and was soon soaring through the air, enjoying the breathtaking views of the countryside and four counties on her way down

Tribute: Upon landing, Shirley showed her hands in which she had written her late brother David’s name

What a woman: After completing the skydive, although she confessed she was still “terrified,” she also found it “exciting”

Shirley last year fought back tears as she discussed her late brother’s tragic suicide, with the star saying he was “everything to me.”

Nearly 20 years after his death, she got emotional during an interview on This Morning as she reflected on the warning signs of her sibling’s internal struggles.

She watched her tears wipe away when she touched David’s photograph, one of many on display in a CALM exhibition on London’s Southbank, which shows the smiling faces of 50 people shortly before they committed suicide.

Shirley told hosts Phillip Schofield: ‘Seeing my brother standing there in Southbank brought everything back, now if I knew what I knew I could have helped.

‘Everyone loved him. He was a big brother. He was like a father. He was everything to me.

Scary stuff: Shirley’s skydive completes the last of her three breathtaking ‘Skyathlon challenges, flying at 200km/h down the world’s fastest zipline

What a thrill: while she also completed an incredible 700-foot wing walk in support of CALM

Tragic: David, from Wallasey, Merseyside, took his own life in 2003 aged 44 after suffering from depression, leaving Shirley and her family heartbroken (pictured last year)

“We talked every day at four. He really was the last person I thought would commit suicide.’

Since her brother’s death, Shirley has become an avid campaigner for mental health awareness, even co-founding the charity The Ballas Foundation with her son Mark.

Shirley is said to have felt “overwhelming grief” when her brother David committed suicide in 2003.

Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) is united against suicide with everyone in the UK.

The campaign is led by vital, life-saving support, impactful conversations and collective action. If you’re struggling, talk to CALM on 0800 58 58 58 (UK) or via our web chat.

Our trained counselors are available every day from 5pm to midnight to provide practical support and advice, whatever you’re going through. For more information about CALM, our services or for support or advice visit www.thecalmzone.net.