Pensioner plans skydive for hospice (From News Shopper)

Gravesend pensioner Alec Giles plans skydive for hospice

9:15am Thursday 15th March 2012 in News By Jim Palmer

FOR his 80th birthday Alec Giles is getting high - two miles high.

The retired policeman is throwing himself out of a plane on April 20 to raise money for EllenorLions Hospices.

Grandfather-of-two Alec, of Lewis Road in Istead Rise, Gravesend, has been a supporter of the hospice since retiring and has already raised more than £800 for the tandem skydive, leaving from Headcorn Airfield.

Alec said: “I have been asked - what's wrong with a mini marathon? Nothing really except that I'm too damn lazy. Let's face it, there's not much effort required in falling out of a plane two miles up and dropping for the first mile at 120mph before the parachute opens.

“Hopefully my experienced instructor will have remembered to clip himself to my harness and he'll open the 'chute in time for us to drift gracefully back to mother earth for me to qualify for sponsorship money and a large scotch.”

Sponsor Alec at virginmoneygiving.com/AlecGiles.