You wouldn't catch most people who have undergone major heart surgery doing a skydive in the months after.

Rhonda Davis, a 75-year-old grandmother of two from Bushey, will be jumping out of a plane at 13,000 feet later today, to raise money for the hospital that saved her life.

Last year, Rhonda struggled to walk more than ten yards without gasping for breath. She was suffering from intense chest pains and had a blockage in one of the main vessels supplying blood to the heart.

Attempts to reopen her coronary heart vessel had been unsuccessful, until February this year, when Rhonda had a seven hour heart operation at Royal Brompton Hospital.

Now, the former ice skater is back enjoying life - she goes swimming and to the gym twice a week.

Rhonda said: "I want to give something back to the amazing Royal Brompton Hospital and my consultant, Professor Carlo di Mario - who I now refer to as 'the Magician'.

"When I came round after surgery, the surgeon came over and said to me 'you have the heart of a 25-year-old now', so I jokingly replied, 'does that mean I can go bungee-jumping or skydiving' and that is the inspiration behind this skydive."

She added: "I also want to be able to help give other heart patients a second chance at life, by raising funds for a more state-of-the-art facilities for the hospital."

She will be doing her skydive challenge with her friend, international swimming champion Sharron Davies. Rhonda has known Sharron since the beginning of her swimming career.

Sharron said: "I've swum with sharks, bungee-jumped and white water rafted, but never skydived before. It's always been on my 'bucket list' to do, so when Rhonda asked me to accompany her I jumped at the chance, if you'll excuse the pun.

"I'm also thrilled to be supporting the hospital that saved my friend's life - Rhonda was the person who got my very first sponsorship deal and set me on the road for an international sports career. I owe her so much, so this is the least I can do."

The money raised from the skydive will go towards the Royal Brompton & Harefield Hospital's Charity's Hybrid Theatre Appeal.

This hospital carries out some of the most complicated heart and lung surgical procedures in the world, and this new facility will mean they can do more operations, which are less invasive and patients will have a speedier recovery.

Rhonda said: "My skydive challenge just goes to show that even with coronary heart disease there is still plenty of 'go' in the old girl yet."

So far Rhonda has raised £1,400 for the charity. To support her cause visit: https://www.justgiving.com/rbhhospitals-skydivechallenge/