EVERY day, Maria McIvor tells her students to face their fears and believe in themselves.

So when the Whitsunday Anglican School principal was asked to jump out of a plane to raise money for the Mackay Hospital Foundation, she thought she had better practise what she preached.

Mrs McIvor is one of nine taking part in the 'Toss the Boss' event happening at Town Beach this Sunday.

"I've never done it before, and people say 'it must be on your bucket list' but no - I'm probably facing one of my biggest fears,” Mrs McIvor said nervously.

"I'm 55 and people say 'what were you thinking?' That's the thing; it's about giving a challenge a go and putting your trust and faith in the person beforehand.

"I've been told the hardest part is the 25 to 30-minute flight to the height of it before you jump.”

But she has received "overwhelming” support by her school community, raising more than $800 for the local foundation.

"It's something I'm conscious of; it's about giving back to our community,” Mrs McIvor said.

"We have such a wonderful community here in Mackay.”

Mrs McIvor has been principal at WAS for four years, having previously been deputy at St Hilda's School on the Gold Coast.

"Mackay is such a wonderful place to live, people are so caring and kind and there's a real sense of people matter,” she said.

"And that's true with me too; every single person matters to me, no matter what you do. It's one of my values that I hold dear to me.”

When she's not at school, the educator of 35 years enjoys exploring the region with her husband and spending time with her four children and grandson.

About the jump

This weekend, nine bosses and senior staff from Mackay will leap from a plane in their bid to raise funds and awareness for the Mackay Hospital Foundation.

The Toss the Boss participants will make the jump from 14,000 feet this Sunday, attached to one of 1300SKYDIVE's experienced tandem masters, departing from the Mackay Aero Club from about midday and landing at town beach, as close as possible to Evan St, East Mackay.

The Mackay Hospital Foundation is a local, independent, not-for-profit charity supporting the Mackay Base Hospital and other public hospitals in the Mackay Hospital & Health Service District.

Government funding provides essential health services but it cannot pay for everything. The Mackay Hospital Foundation's role is to fill the gap and provide those extras that will help patients receive the finest health care possible and to support our staff to have the best working environment to provide it.

Working together with patients, family members, staff, physicians, volunteers, community stakeholders and businesses, the foundation manages and invests funds that support our local public hospitals.

People wanting to support the Mackay Hospital Foundation can donate up until October 29, via www.mackayhospitalfoundation.com.au and click through to mycause.

Who's jumping?

• Rochelle Macdonald, GM Engineering & Development, North Queensland Bulk Ports
• Matt Cielens, General Manager, Harrup Park Country Club
• Maria McIvor, Principal, Whitsunday Anglican School
• Cas Garvey, Production Editor, Daily Mercury
• Casie Vella, Manager, NQ Car & Truck Rentals
• Ross Gee, Macky Regional Councillor
• Jared Maguire, Mackay Cutters under-20s captain
• Jayden Batchelor, Mackay Cutters under-20s player
• Kellen Jenner, Mackay Cutters under-20s player