TWO plucky fundraisers are jumping out of a plane to celebrate the 30th birthday of St Luke's Hospice.

Maxine Hollis and Natalie Murphy, from Winsford, are joining the hospice's charity sky dive on Saturday, March 16.

Business analyst Maxine, who works at Barclays in the town, hopes to raise £1,000 as her company has offered to double that target.

Her work colleagues have already pledged to support a bottle tombola and home baked cake stall for staff on Wednesday.

Maxine, 30, said is looking forward to the challenge. She said: "It's exciting and will be something different. It will be fun."

She said Natalie, who works for Air Products in Crewe, is afraid of heights.

Her employers have vowed to add 50 per cent to whatever she raises.

The friends met when they were pupils at the former Verdin School in Winsford.

"I've done charity runs for the past three years," said Maxine, whose mum runs a family business called Karalan's Deli on Winsford Market.

"St Luke's has been providing palliative care to local people since 1988. It just happens that I'm celebrating my 30th birthday this year. What better way to help an amazing cause than by doing a skydive challenge."

The hospice provided free care and support to more than 1,000 local people last year.

To support Maxine visit justgiving.com/fundraising/Maxine-Hollis2 or hand in a donation at Karalan's Deli.

To donate to Natalie visit justgiving.com/NJMurphy.