TWO Poole Hospital nurses are leaving their patients behind to launch themselves out of a plane.

But the people they care for will not be far from the thoughts of adventurous Sarah Simmons and April-Grace Ashworth, who are raising funds for a charity that supports them.

The caring young nurses work on the Portland Ward, which specialises in neurological care, and their tandem skydive takes place on June 23.

Weather permitting they will launch themselves from a plane at 10,000ft outside Salisbury.

“I’m skydiving for the Motor Neurone Disease Association because there is no better reason to jump out of a plane,” said Sarah, 24, from Merley.

“I just wanted to raise money and give something back for a cause which is close to my heart because of the people we care for,” Sarah added.

Neither women have done anything like this before and admit to being nervous and excited at the same time.

“I’m excited, very excited in fact and cannot wait,” said April, 22, from Poole.

The pair are hoping to raise £600 by the date of the jump and are busy fundraising, holding car boot sales, making cakes to sell and other similar events.

“It is in fact Motor Neurone Awareness month which fits in very well,” said Sarah.

They will be wearing their charity T-shirts for the event and all the money they raise will go to the East Dorset and New Forest branch of the MNDA.

• To support them go to Sarah’s Just Giving page, justgiving.com/Sarah-Simmons1