A MUM-of-two has jumped out of a plane to mark a milestone birthday and raise money for a hospice that is close to her heart.

Pauline Matthews, from Leigh, is forever indebted to Wigan and Leigh Hospice for the care and support it gave to her mum Patricia Brandwood prior to her death last March.

So Pauline jumped at the chance to make her 40th birthday one she will never forget by joining 13 others for a daredevil group challenge in aid of the Hindley hospice.

After plummeting from the sky above the Black Knights Parachute Centre in Cockerham, Lancaster, and raising £480 for the hospice, she said: Pauline said: “I have always wanted to do a skydive.

“I did not want a party or presents, I wanted sponsorship instead.

“The care at the hospice was amazing and the staff looked after the family as well as my mum.”

The other people who jumped out of the plane on Sunday included Dylan Prescott, 21, from Leigh, Becky Leonard, 33, from Hindley, and John Sanby, 49, from Hindley Green.

Dylan did the jump in memory of his late grandmother Linda Grundy, who also received treatment from the hospice on Kildare Street.

His mum Susan works at the hospice.

Dylan said: “I have done a Manchester to Blackpool bike ride for the hospice three years in a row so I thought I would do something different this year .

"When mum mentioned the sky dive I thought ‘why not?’”

Christine Edwardson, community fundraiser at the hospice, said: “A skydive is such an exhilarating experience.

“It is hard to put into words how amazing it is to take that leap and see the Lakes and Morecambe Bay beneath you.

“All of our skydivers did fantastically well and I am sure it is a day they will never forget.

“They have also worked extremely hard to raise thousands of pounds for the hospice, which will make a huge difference to the lives of local people living with a life-limiting illness.”

Another group skydive in aid of the hospice will take place at the parachute centre in Cockerham on September 9.

Places are limited.

To sign up for the challenge contact the hospice's fundraising team on 01942 525566 or via e-mail at fundraising@wlh.org.uk.