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Skydiving grandmother from Herne Bay with terminal cancer looks to finish bucket list

A grandmother with terminal cancer and just months left to live is pursuing her life-long dreams of skydiving and swimming with dolphins.

Doctors gave Tanya Huckstep the devastating news she had between six and nine months left after the breast cancer she fought since 2021 worsened.

Tanya Huckstep, of Herne Bay, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021 but that didn't stop her fulfilling her dream to skydive. Picture: Natalie Reid
Tanya Huckstep, of Herne Bay, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021 but that didn't stop her fulfilling her dream to skydive. Picture: Natalie Reid

But despite a gruelling battle through chemotherapy and a mastectomy, the courageous 53-year-old from Herne Bay still fulfilled her skydiving dream.

Ever a source of positivity in her close-knit family, Tanya has vowed to have as much fun as possible despite her heartbreaking situation.

“It’s about making the most of the time I have left, and making the most memories I can with my family,” she said.

“Everyone knows one day you’re going to die but for me, because I know it’s coming, I can use that as an advantage - I think planning things to look forward to is what’s keeping me going.”

Despite battling cancer, Tanya Huckstep, of Herne Bay, was determined to cross swimming with dolphins off her bucket list. Picture: Natalie Reid
Despite battling cancer, Tanya Huckstep, of Herne Bay, was determined to cross swimming with dolphins off her bucket list. Picture: Natalie Reid

Since receiving her initial diagnosis, Tanya has got matching tattoos with her daughters and has also travelled to Benidorm, Lanzarote, and the Dominican Republic where she swam with dolphins.

“I’ve never cried so much in my life - it was the most magical experience,” she added.

“It’s like they knew I wasn’t well, they kept on tilting their heads to the side as if they knew and swimming up to me.”

Before she was forced to medically retire, Tanya worked for Kent County Council caring for dementia patients for 32 years.

Mother and daughters - from left to right, Maisie Huckstep, Tanya Huckstep, Megan Jarnell and Erin Huckstep. Picture: Megan Jarnell
Mother and daughters - from left to right, Maisie Huckstep, Tanya Huckstep, Megan Jarnell and Erin Huckstep. Picture: Megan Jarnell

“She’s always the first to help someone in need,” said Tanya’s eldest daughter, Megan.

“Us three girls are so proud of how she’s dealt with everything she’s been through, how she’s kept fighting every day.”

As a huge fan of reggae music, the last big thing on Tanya’s wish list is a trip to Jamaica so her friends and family have been raising money through a GoFundMe page to made her dream a reality.

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