THE sky’s the limit for Barbara Licinio, who is planning a sponsored skydive to celebrate her 60th birthday and to raise funds for a cause close to her heart.

Beauty therapist Barbara, from Boscombe East, will be jumping from a plane above Old Sarum airfield, near Salisbury, on Saturday.

So far she has raised £2,500 for the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation in memory of her husband Tino, who died at the age of 65 after developing the disease.

The well known musician had performed in smoky bars and clubs and played in bands with Robert Fripp and Gordon Haskell.

Paying tribute to the gifted guitarist, singer and composer, Barbara said: “Tino was the most wonderful, loyal husband.

“We were best friends, confidantes and soul mates. I miss him desperately. He was a musician through and through and was still singing and playing with his band Lucky until a month before his death.”

She added: “Tino wasn’t a heavy smoker but he had sung in smoky pubs and clubs, six nights a week, and I think that contributed to the terrible disease which eventually took him away from us.”

Instead of having a party to mark her 60th birthday, Barbara decided to jump from a plane to raise funds in his memory.

She said: “I asked friends and relatives to sponsor me, instead of buying presents, and my clients have also been incredibly generous.

“I had been hoping to raise about £300 but it’s really taken off. My doctor has warned me of the dangers involved but I’m determined to take to the skies in Tino’s memory.”

If you would like to sponsor Barbara to to the website http://www.justgiving.com/Barbara-Licinio