Lewis-Manning Hospice Care held a special event with a former Royal Air Force pilot.

The hospice charity hosted an 'An Audience With' event at Parkstone Yacht Club in Poole with former Royal Air Force jet fighter pilot Mandy Hickson.

This was the third in a programme of sell-output 'An Audience With…' events that the Poole-based charity is running.

Mandy Hickson has over 30 years of experience with aviation, having joined the Royal Air Force in 1994.

She shared her 'inspirational' journey to becoming a pioneering female firefighter pilot.

Inspired by her pilot grandfather from World War II, Mandy shared her journey from dreaming of flying as a schoolgirl to breaking barriers as a female pilot in the air force.

With determination, she fulfilled her ambition, eventually flying the Tornado GR4 in challenging missions, like patrolling Iraq's 'No Fly' zone. Her philosophy is 'Dream it, Believe it, Do it!'

Lewis-Manning Hospice Care CEO Clare Gallie said: "Huge thanks to Mandy for generously giving up her time to be with us in Dorset this evening and entertaining us with such an inspirational talk.

"The packed audience included such a wonderful mix of supporters from the local community, including some of our hospice patients."