Phil Collins will be in the air..but not tonight when he takes on a charity skydive.

Not to be confused with his musician namesake, Phil Collins from Dalton will be plummeting thousands of feet for Kirkwood Hospice.

The skydive has been inspired by his wife Diane who is bravely facing breast cancer.

Phil, 63, who runs his own furniture business, said he hopes to raise as much money as possible for the Dalton-based hospice where Diane has received therapeutic treatments.

Phil said: “Diane has been supported by Kirkwood with therapy treatment and it is such a fantastic facility.

“She was diagnosed seven years ago with breast cancer but it came back 18 months ago and has now spread to her bones and liver.

“We actually live on the same street as the hospice and we get their magazine and that’s how I heard about the skydive.

“I just thought that’s something I’ve always wanted to do and will fulfill a lifelong ambition.”

Phil has stumped up £200 of his own money to pay for the skydive and his company Floor To Ceiling Fitted Furniture of Huddersfield, has footed the remaining £200 bill to ensure that every penny raised will go direct to the Hospice.

He will be supported on the day by his son Adam and daughters Nicky and Kim.

Phil added: “I’m looking forward to it. Adam’s fiancee’s mother is doing it too and may even be in the same plane so all the family is behind us.

Phil’s young granddaughter Jenna has even been asking her friends to sponsor him.

To sponsor Phil for the event which will take place on May 10 at Hibaldstow Airfield. go to www.justgiving.com/floortoceiling4kirkwood

Kirkwood not only provides in-patient care, but also day attendance allowing patients to attend the Support & Therapy Centre, a drop-in service, plus the Kirkwood Palliative Care Team visits patients at home to give additional support. For more information call 01484 557900.

Click here to take you back to more Huddersfield news .

Want to read, watch and hear more? You can download the FREE Examiner Apple App  here , the FREE Examiner Android App  here  or you can view the paper as an e-edition on your Apple, Android or Kindle device by clicking  here

To follow us on Twitter click here