A SKYDIVE is perhaps not the most obvious activity to take part in to mark a 60th birthday – especially if you’re terrified of heights.

But Julijana Zappia knew that to raise as much money as she possibly could for the Hereford MS Therapy Centre, which treats her husband, she had to do something that was truly worthy.

That’s not to say she enjoyed jumping from a plane at 13,000ft – far from it – but she raised more than £2,500 and effectively kick-started the centre’s fundraising campaign for an extension.

Mrs Zappia said: “My husband Nino has Multiple Sclerosis. It is a cruel, debilitating illness with no cure. Living with MS is immensely challenging and managing the symptoms also requires services that sadly are not always available freely on the NHS.

"Having arrived at Hinton Skydive Centre at 9am there was less than perfect weather for a skydive. Seven hours later (with nerves building all day) I was falling out of the plane at 13,000ft.

"Now, remember this is the lady that cannot stand on a step ladder due to a fear of heights. My instructor was ex-Royal Air Force and in the words of a friend, 'he was a bit of an ego-trip merchant who chucked me round the skies'. But, I survived."

The Herefordshire MS Therapy Centre is an independent charity and registered member of the UK Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centres, which exists to meet the personal and therapeutic needs of people with MS and many other long term chronic illnesses including stroke, cancer and fibromyalgia.

The centre provides a mixture of mainstream and complementary therapies including a large four-seat (HBOT) oxygen chamber.

However, apart from a small treatment room, all other therapies, social and exercise activities take place in one room.

The centre has now launched a fundraising campaign to provide an extension to the centre which will enable it to offer other exercise classes and therapies to an ever growing list of users.

Lisa Shaw, centre manager, said: “With the centre's client base growing steadily it is becoming increasingly difficult to offer the variety of services they would like to, therefore we have seen the launch of a fundraising campaign to provide an extension to the centre.

"This will enable us to offer other exercise classes and therapies to an ever growing list of clients in a dedicated, purpose built space."

"Julijanna’s sky dive is just the start of an exciting fundraising campaign and we cannot thank her enough for overcoming her fear of heights to raise funds for us.

“2017 is a big year for the centre, with many activities and events happening to help raise vital funds."

Anyone wishing to support the centre in any way, or anyone who would like further information about the services it provides should, call Lisa Shaw on 01432 261249.