A TERMINALLY-ILL cancer patient is planning a 10,000 foot skydive to raise money for the Heart of Kent Hospice. Maggie Tonery, of Mosquito Road, Kings Hill, near West Malling, has advanced cancer in her kidneys and has been given between three and five years to live.

But the intrepid 55-year-old will be throwing herself out of a plane for the first time at Headcorn aerodrome. Mrs Tonery said: "It's something I've always wanted to do, but until now I've never got round to it. So far my sponsorship is up to about £800, but I'm still aiming for my target of £1,000."

Mrs Tonery has been attending weekly respite sessions for younger people with terminal illnesses at the hospice at Preston Hall, Aylesford. She was diagnosed with kidney cancer in November last year, but decided against painful chemotherapy treatment with only a 20 per cent success rate so that she could enjoy the time she has left. If her enthusiasm for the skydive on Saturday, December 1, is anything to go by, she is doing just that. She will be doing a tandem jump, attached to an experienced skydiving instructor for the descent.

To support Mrs Tonery's fundraising efforts, call reporter Ben Biddulph at the Kent Messenger on 01622 695666 and he will put you in touch with her.