A FEARLESS fundraiser who celebrates her 80th birthday in August has completed the challenge of a lifetime as she leapt out of an aeroplane at more than 10,000ft for Brighter Futures.

Jill Huby, of Okus Road, has so far raised around £3,700 from her first tandem skydive, which she described as a “truly wonderful” experience.

Jill, who volunteers for the charity at GWH, thought the jump a perfect way to celebrate her 80th birthday, raise money for the appeal and keep alive the memory of her husband John, who died of cancer in 2013.

She said: “The reason I did it was because it would catch people’s attention.

"I know I can’t go on fundraising forever but the whole idea was to say ‘Look, I’m nearly 80, and I want to do something that people will remember and that will hopefully inspire others’.

“If it raises money for the appeal then that is absolutely wonderful. I can’t cycle up hills or run marathons but I thought I could do this and I’m so glad I did it, it was wonderful.

“It has certainly given me something to talk to the patients about.”

At the moment cancer patients requiring radiotherapy have to go all the way to Oxford to receive treatment, which can be a very stressful journey for patients who already have to deal with the cruelties of cancer.

Jill, who has a PHD in medical research, said: “It’s appalling that people have to go to Oxford for radiotherapy every day.

“My background in medical research concerns the effects of the mind on the body and how people’s perceptions of treatment can actually affect the response to that treatment.

“The thought of that journey to Oxford is so awful for people that it’s going to have a very negative effect on them and the way they respond to treatment.

“We should do everything we can to make their lives easier and more comfortable. I was outraged that when this hospital was built the facility wasn’t there in the first place.”

Jill is well placed to offer advice and support after her husband of 60 years lost his battle with cancer in 2013 at the age of 81.

“Initially, I wanted to help out in the hospital’s Osprey department because that’s where John was treated,” she said.

“I have been there and I know what it’s like and I can offer support to patients and their families.

“So many people have been touched by cancer and I think it’s important that people know they’re not alone.”

Jill said: “John would have thought I was being quite irresponsible jumping out of an aeroplane at 10,000ft at my age, but I like to think he would have been very proud of me.”

The jump took place on Sunday, June 6, at Go Skydive, Salisbury, and was an experience she will never forget.

She said: “I was terrified, absolutely terrified. But the people who ran it were so good, very professional and very sweet.

“They don’t get many at my age doing it but they were great. They talked me through it and tried to put me at ease.

“I was sitting there thinking ‘oh no, what have I done?’ but the free fall was absolutely amazing, it was a truly wonderful experience.”