A RINGWOOD churchgoer is celebrating his 80th birthday next month - by jumping out of a plane.

Brian Walters, who attends Trinity Church, will undertake the daring deed, which he has dubbed Jump for Jesus, on May 16 to raise money for Christian Aid.

He said: “I was prompted to do this by the recent news from Syria and the Philippines, where Christian Aid is providing emergency assistance.

Ringwood Christian Aid chairman Laurie Dormer said: “I think he wanted to do something a bit crazy that will wake people up a bit.”

The churches in Ringwood are trying to generate substantial funds for Christian Aid, as they have been for the last few years. Mr Dormer said: “We are to aiming to assist the 42 million men, women and, above all, children who have lost everything because of conflict which was not of their making.

“All donations will be gift aided, which means an extra 20 per cent added to any sum donated and that if you are in business you will get tax relief too. “The charity has a big reputation in helping to support innocent families suffering from conflict but they are also assisting in the resolution of the causes of the conflict.”

To sponsor Mr Walters go to justgiving.com/jumpforjesus.