An 80-year-old woman from Orpington celebrated her birthday by jumping 12,000 feet out of a plane in support of two charities.

Lucia Tanti, who moved to the UK from Malta 56 years ago, has raised £2,300 for Cancer Research UK and Abigail’s Footsteps, a charity focused on stillbirth bereavement.

Fresh from her 12,000 feet jump in Headcorn, Kent, she said: “I enjoyed it, I loved it! I felt like a bird.”

Lucia’s skydive has also given her a claim to fame, and her jump has been aired on Maltese TV, in the news and has appeared in Maltese newspapers.

She was accompanied by professional jumper David who said Lucia had a great time on her way back down to earth.

After Lucia’s amazing achievement, family and friends were able to let their hair down in a fun-filled celebration of her 80th birthday, which included music, an assortment of photos, and a fabulous birthday cake.

To find out more about Lucia’s jump and donate to her cause, visit mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/luciatanti2