The sky's the limit for a woman from Workington who will fly a Spitfire plane over the hospital treating her terminal cancer.

After a remarkable life in which she has driven a seven and a half ton aid truck to Bosnia, built and piloted two light aircraft and toured Ireland in a camper van, Marilla Colgan describes her illness as her final adventure and says she plans to fit one more in before then.

Marilla, 69, who was born in Workington, last flew more than 30 years ago.

Terrified of aircraft as a youngster, she eventually beat her fear to earn her UK Private Pilot Licence from RAF Cranwell Flying Club.

Now her family have organised for the final entry in her logbook and her seventieth birthday present to be another flight in the famous aircraft.

Marilla will soar from Duxford near Cambridge to loop-the-loop over the Addenbrooke's Hospital where she is being treated for colorectal cancer.

She has raised almost £3,000 so far for the Addenbrooke's Charitable Trust and is hoping to hit £10,000 towards the hospital's cancer research before her flight on August 16.

The experience will be auctioned on national radio to top up her fund-raising if she is not well enough to take part.

Marilla spent the first 10 years of her life in Dublin before returning to Workington and attending St Patrick's Primary School then Workington Grammar School before leaving for good in 1962.

She has been battling cancer for two years and said she was fit and lively until three or four weeks ago.

She added: "We all think we've got that bit longer, I wish I could wind back the clock.
"I loved Cumbria, it was my great delight to climb the fells and go off on long rambles.

"I got into property development and that's where I made my existence. I got quite good at picking properties which were right for renovation, including a little cottage next to Camerton Hall."

To sponsor Marilla's flight, visit www.act4addenbrookes.org.uk/supporter/SkystheLimit