RAF veteran gets airborne as he takes on a tandem skydive to mark his 90th birthday

An RAF veteran has celebrated his 90th birthday by throwing himself out of a plane to raise money for charity.

John Dyer, a former RAF technician, turned 90 in January and, to mark his big day, took part in a tandem skydive at Shotton Airfield to raise money for the RAF Association.

His jump saw him raise more than £1,000 for the charity, which will go towards providing much-needed help and support to the RAF community.

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Mr Dyer, who joined the RAF as a boy entrant in 1951 and served for 18 years, said he never got a chance to do a jump during his service but he had wanted to do one since he "was a boy".

"I turned 90 in January and decided what better way to celebrate my birthday than to finally get to jump out of a plane," he said.

Mr Dyer, as the president of the RAF Association's Stockton and Thornaby Branch, was keen to contribute to the charity's goal to provide vital support to the RAF community.

"I've seen for myself the great work the association does to support veterans," he said. "It's a great cause and hugely deserving of my fundraising efforts."

His jump was part of a scheme run by the association for adrenaline seekers to raise money through tandem skydives.

Pete Brocklehurst, community and challenge fundraiser at the association, said the charity was "delighted that John chose to support" it.

"He's living proof that it’s never too late to challenge yourself – a wonderful example for us all to aspire to," he said.

Support John's fundraising efforts here.