Mother, 79, excited to skydive for hospice

A 79-year-old woman planning a skydive to raise funds for a hospice charity that is caring for her friend said she was not "scared at all".

Adventure-seeker Shirley Warnes, from Rugby, Warwickshire, who said she loved rock climbing and helicopter rides, described the jump for Myton Hospice as a "bucket-list challenge".

"When I was younger, I used to have a recurring dream that I'd step out on to my bedroom windowsill and fly away and ever since, I've wanted to experience that sensation," she said.

"Everyone says I'm mad - and maybe I am."

She has already raised more than £600 for the charity, which supports people with life-limiting illnesses across Coventry and Warwickshire, to thank them for providing respite care for her friend Gordon, who has motor neurone disease.

She also remembered her uncle being looked after at Myton's Warwick hospice when he had cancer several decades ago.

"I remember how happy my uncle was at Myton and how well he was looked after," she said.

"Gordon always talks about how much he loves Myton, saying 'it's like going on holiday'.

"After these two glowing accounts of the care they provide, I knew I had to do something for them."

She said she was excited to take on the 14,000ft (4,267m) leap at Langar Airfield, Nottinghamshire, in July with her daughter, Cherry Ryan.

"People keep asking me what I'm most scared of about the skydive but honestly, I don't think I'm scared at all," she said.

"To be raising money for Myton at the same time makes it even more special."

Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.