WHEN Hazel May's dad, Jim Young, died in November, she was touched by the compassion and support she received from Swindon's Marie Curie nurses.

Now, Hazel has dedicated herself to giving back to the service that helped make the most of the time she had left with her 75-year-old dad.

The 50-year-old from Chiseldon is holding a sponsored trampolining event to help raise money for the charity.

"Dad died at home peacefully holding my hand in November and the help we had from our own district nurses and GP and Marie Curie turned what could have been overwhelming and unmanageable into a calm and meaningful time for dad, me and my family," said Hazel. "I had my 50th birthday shortly after dad died and postponed celebrating it until now."

Hazel held a charity garden party at her home with friends last month. It raised £3,000 for Marie Curie, of which £600 came from Dorcan Technology College.

Events included tug-of-war, egg-throwing, an auction, cocktails and band College Green Dissidents, who performed free.

Hazel and friends are taking trampolining lessons to make sure they are in shape for their sponsored event.

They meet on Saturday mornings at the Esprit Academy in Stratton where they are given free lessons.

"I wanted to do something fun and uplifting after a difficult year, and also to prove in my 50th year that older women can do things like somersaults," she said.

She is seeking sponsors to challenge her to master a somersault by January. All money raised will go to Marie Curie Cancer Care.

The group are hoping to make a video diary of their progress over the weeks "We are already doing tucks, pikes, twists, swivel hips, backdrops and tummy drops," she said. "Our instructor, 18-year-old Alex, is wonderful and we all think the world of him."