A pensioner is preparing to jump out of a plane to raise cash for a charity which cared for his sick wife.

Charlie Richardson, 70, hopes his freefall thousands of feet above Maidstone Airfield in Kent will help the King George and Queen’s Hospital Charity.

The grandfather-of-seven, who is a dedicated volunteer at Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust, wants to thank the charity’s staff for looking after his wife Marian, 64, after she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

He hopes his skydive on Friday, October 19, which will be his first, will raise £2,000 for the charity.

Mr Richardson, who has always fancied the idea of skydiving, said: “My family think I’m mad but I’ve got bolder as I’ve got older.

“I’ve been getting a bit more nervous as it’s been getting closer though.

“I love being a volunteer - every day is different and when someone says thanks, you know it’s all worth it. So I’m keen to raise as much money for the team as I can.”

To donate to Mr Richardson’s fundraising campaign, click here.