A PENSIONER celebrated his 80th birthday yesterday by launching himself out of a plane.
Fred Deakin, of Sherburn, near Durham, took part in a tandem parachute jump from 14,000ft with instructor Richard Kalinski at the Peterlee Parachute Centre.
He said: "It wasn't at all terrifying. You have got to believe in it to do it."
It was his third annual sponsored jump to raise money in memory of his wife, Mary, who died from cancer in 1999.
Funds raised will go to St Cuthbert's Hospice, in Durham, where she spent her last days.
Staff at the parachute centre waived the £225 jump fee, so Mr Deakin is donating it to the hospice along with sponsorship.
Mr Deakin, who works as a volunteer at the parachute centre, said it was his last leap out of a plane.
He said: "I am not doing any more. It is a crazy thing to do really at my time of life."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article