A DAREDEVIL dad is set to abseil off a North-East hotel - to raise funds for the volunteers who saved his son's life.

Steven Jefferson, 34, from Craghead, near Stanley, is taking part in the stunt to raise money for the Great North Air Ambulance.

He is taking the plunge from the Gateshead Hilton Hotel as a "thank you" to the helicopter crew who rushed his son Christopher to hospital after a horrific accident.

The nine-year-old amazed doctors after a steel gate weighing a quarter of a tonne fell on him crushing his skull near his home on April 19.

In addition to a fractured skull, the accident left Christopher with a shattered cheekbone and nose, a fractured eye-socket and a broken wrist.

After a desperate seven-minute flight to Newcastle General Hospital, neurologists immediately operated on Christopher to relieve a build up of pressure on his brain. The charity abseil, organised by the Rotary Club of Derwentside, will see fundraisers abseil off a 90ft drop on Sunday, 5 July.

Steven said: “It’s great to be able to give something back and say thank you to the crew of the air ambulance.”

Jacqui Molyneux of Derwentside Rotary club, said: “We’re delighted to be holding this event for what is a very worthwhile cause. The Great North Air Ambulance do a fantastic job."

* For further information on how to register and join in with this fundraising event call Jacqui Molyneux on 01207 590340 or email jmoly56@aol.com.

Cheques can be sent to Jacqui, c/o The Prince Bishop Veterinary Hospital, 1 Plantation Street, Leadgate, Consett. DH8 7PP.