BRAVE Ian James of Cinderford is taking the plunge to help charity with a a sponsored tandem parachute jump.

He will plunge two miles to raise money for Cancer Research UK. His sister Jayne Bonner, his work colleague Andy Warren and neighbour Darren Green are also jumping.

Ian said: "I have had a couple of serious bouts of cancer and my dad had cancer too. I said when I was 50 I would do something really stupid, so now I am!

"I am apprehensive, but not scared or nervous. Everybody tells me the initial fear is the worst, when you walk towards the hatch, but the actual free-fall for 45 seconds and six minutes under the canopy are meant to be some of the most exhilarating experiences you will ever have. I am really looking forward to it.

"It was always my intention that when the time was right that I would commit myself to an event like this to raise as much money as possible."

Ian stumbled across the idea accidentally when he was looking for activities for his daughter's wedding.

"I used to be a dare devil when I was younger – I did pot holing, scuba diving and I have always had an ambition to skydive, but kept putting it off while I had a young family."

Ian's children Hayley, 27 and Jenna, 25 are now grown up and his granddaughter Olivia is nearly 7. They will all be coming along to watch on the day.

He hopes to raise at least £4,000 for Cancer Research.

The jump is planned for September 24 with the Red Devils display team at Netheravon Airfield in Wiltshire.

To sponsor Ian, contact him at Aim Catering on 01594 822677, email [email protected]">[email protected], or visit http://www.justgiving">www.justgiving. com/ianjames2