Daredevil Bernard preparing to take to the skies

An 81-year-old daredevil is preparing to leap 10,000ft from an aeroplane in a fund-raising feat for a Midlands children's charity.

Retired businessman Bernard Danks is taking to the skies after becoming President Elect of Sedgley and Wombourne Probus Club.

The gutsy grandfather says he wants to lead the way in fund-raising and has set the bar high.

Family members from across the country are converging on the Northamptonshire this weekend to watch the spectacle.

Mr Danks admitted he was getting a teensy bit nervous about the prospect."I had to get a doctor's certificate to do the jump because of my age and I didn't think he'd pass me. But he said it would be okay, although he thought I was being a bit reckless.

"I was a regular skier until I was 76 and thought this would be a suitable challenge to launch the fund-raising year.

"Physically I can't run a marathon and as heights don't bother me, a tandem jump seemed like a good way of getting publicity for Probus and for the charity, Acorns Children's Hospice.

"But as it gets closer I'm getting slightly nervous about it, but also excited.It's a decision I've made and I'm looking forward to it. At least it will all be over in an hour."

All the money raised by the group, for retired professionals, this year will go to Acorns.

Mr Danks' family, including four children and seven grandchildren, will be at Hinton Airfield in Brackley on Sunday to support him.