Flying enthusiast Nic Orchard is taking to the skies to take on the famous International Dawn until Dusk Challenge to aid of The Martha Trust.

The challenge, started in 1964 by the Tiger Club in Redhill, involves pilots staying up in the air for a minimum of four hours in any flying machine.

There has to be some sort of theme and a report must be presented detailing the journey log, charts and any other material relevant to the adventure.

Her entry will be judged by five experienced aviators who will assess her theme's originality and planning, the flying itself (distance and time planned against what is actually achieved), the log of the journey, with an element of handicapping according to pilot experience, equipment in the aircraft and weather.

Ms Orchard, who lives in Deal, revealed she never grew up with any passion for flying. It has been a “slow burner” for her, a buzz to which she eventually became addicted.

In 1985, unbeknownst to her, her father had already signed up to be a member of the Channel Gliding Club which had just moved to Waldershare. She had already bought her father a flying voucher for his birthday, as he was very passionate about flying.

Ms Orchard, 67, initially went along with him and “got sucked into “a five minute flight which she described as “alright”.

"It took a long time for me to ride solo and at that point, the passion for flying started to seep in under the fingernails and I soon became addicted..."

She said: “As a family member of the club, I went on to learn how to fly, first of which was terrible to begin with. Then went become a Junior Gliding Instructor. It took a long time for me to ride solo and at that point, the passion for flying started to seep in under the fingernails and I soon became addicted and went on to powered aircraft in 1996.

"I met my partner Richard through flying and then found my airplane, which is an Aeronca Champ 1946- she is a little two-seater beauty."

She added: "I have chosen to support Martha Trust with this challenge as I wanted to support a small charity, especially this year with COVID19 bringing a lot of fundraising activities to a halt plus I have also attended Solley's FlyIn who are long term supporters of Martha and met some of the residents and staff there.

"It is evident that they do excellent work and are extremely well cared for and I want to help them at this very difficult time.”

Fundraising & Events Officer Kerry Banks BEM said: “It was a real pleasure speaking with Nic about the history of her flying career and we are all so truly grateful that Nic has chosen to support Martha at these extremely difficult times – we are looking forward to seeing all her photos from her challenge after the event."

Ms Orchard will be flying over Kent, Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Lincolnshire, Rutland, Northamptonshire, Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Hampshire, Sussex and back to Kent and will be accompanied by one of the many teddies she has been given on her travels and will be undertaking this challenge in the next couple of weeks when the weather will be nice.

You can support Nic Orchard's fundraising by clicking here to be redirected to her online fundraising page

The Martha Trust is the Charity of the Year of Kentonline's sister newspaper the East Kent Mercury.

To support the charity, please contact Kerry Banks BEM on 01304610448 or email fundraising@marthatrust.org.uk.