A GRATEFUL father is to abseil from the top of a hotel to raise money for charity which saved his son’s life.

Nine-year-old Christopher Jefferson was airlifted to hospital after a steel fence weighing a quarter of a tonne fell on him as he played with his twin brother near his home in Stanley, County Durham, in April.

The schoolboy suffered a fractured skull, shattered cheekbone and nose, a fractured eye-socket and a broken wrist.

However, his life was saved after a Great North Air Ambulance crew got him to Newcastle General Hospital in just seven minutes, where neurologists were able to operate to relieve a build up of pressure on his brain.

Next month, Christopher will be there to watch as his father Steven Jefferson abseils 90ft from the Hilton Hotel, in Gateshead, to raise money to keep the charity’s helicopters flying.

The event takes place on Sunday, July 5 and has been organised by the Rotary Club of Derwentside.

The 34-year-old said: "It’s great to be able to give something back and say thank you to the crew of the air ambulance.

"When I found out that the Rotary Club of Derwentside was organising this abseil I was a little apprehensive at first because I am scared of heights, but it’s for a great cause and I thought it was the least I could do to give something back."

Jacqui Molyneux, from Derwentside Rotary Club, added: "We’re delighted to be holding this event for what is a very worthwhile cause.

"The Great North Air Ambulance do a fantastic job, which is made possible only by fundraising efforts such as this."

For further information on how to join in, call Jacqui Molyneux on 01207 590340.