But there was help on hand to make sure she managed the leap of faith last Saturday (July 19).

The director of nursing at the Iain Rennie Hospice at Home decided to take on the brave challenge in aid of the charity where she has worked for 20 years.

She said: "The plane climb took about 15 minutes and each minute was more terrifying. Then we were above the clouds - amazing - normally I would have loved it but the thought of jumping out made it all rather surreal.

"Now it was my turn! The instructions were to put my hands across my chest. Then pick your feet up backwards between the legs of the instructor. I needed help with that - my legs wouldn't move!

"The tumble out is the most frightening, like the fastest and scariest fairground ride."

Mrs Varvel has raised around £1,200 for the hospice, which cares for terminally and seriously ill people in their own homes across the Chilterns area of Herts and Beds.

For the brave jump Mrs Varvel wrote a 'love you' message on her hands for her two children, Claire and Rebecca, which she held up for a mid-air photograph.

The mum said: "It was an amazing experience and I am so proud of myself for doing it."