A MOTHER-OF FIVE is to step out of a plane at 10,000 feet to support the hospice which cared her sister in her final days.

Paula Binks, 47, whose sister, Christine Bennett died from breast cancer at her home in Bishop Auckland last July, will perform the fundraising sky dive in aid of Butterwick Hospice at Durham Tees Valley Airport on September 12.

The date was chosen as the closest to Christine’s birthday on September 9, when she would have been 66.

Mrs Binks, of Bishop Auckland, has already raised £800 for Macmillan Nurses, who also helped care for Christine in the final six months of her life - along with her sister Judith Bennett, a Butterwick volunteer.

But she said it was now time to raise funds for the hospice, adding that the advice and support provided by Judith and the hospice had been invaluable.

“People say I’m brave,” she said, “but I’m not, really. The bravest person was my sister. She never moaned about her illness. I know that I will be nervous on the day but I really wanted to give something back to Butterwick Hospice.

“We want others to continue getting what we had from this brilliant place. The sky-dive is like a big thank you to them.”

The last six months of Christine's life became more difficult after her brother David suffered a heart attack, which meant he too had to be cared for at home.

Judith Bennett ended up caring for both, taking early retirement from her job as an intensive care baby nurse and clocking up countless miles travelling between the two.

She said she would not have coped had it not been for the hospice’s support.

Mrs Binks will receive 30 minutes training from Sky Dive St George before her five minute tandem descent, when she will be attached to an experienced parachutist.

To support Mrs Binks and Butterwick Hospice visit justgiving.com/Paula-Binks or text BINK64£ to 70070 with the amount you wish to donate.