A fear of heights is not stopping a Melksham man taking part in a skydive to raise money for an animal home he volunteers for.

Michael Jenkins, 23, from Bolwell Place, was left traumatised after a long haul flight a few years ago and admits he doesn’t even like looking out of a plane window.

But he will be teaming up with Mike Burne, 24, from Chippenham, to complete a tandem skydive on January 30, at Old Sarum Airfield in Salisbury, to raise money for Bath Cats and Dogs Home.

Both men work at IT Focus in Bath and want to raise more than £1,000 for the home, as Mr Jenkins volunteers there during some of his spare time, along with his wife Laura.

Mr Jenkins said: “Mike wanted to sky dive anyway, but I am actually scared of heights so I needed somebody to support me.

“We booked it about two months ago, but because I am scared of heights I wanted to do it to overcome my fear.

“I did a long haul flight to Canada a few years ago and it scared me to death, I don’t like anything about flying and I can’t even sit near the window of a plane or look out of it.

“I am nervous, but I think that because I know it’s going to raise money, I want to do it.”

Mr Jenkins said the pair would be jumping from around 10,000 feet, but would be strapped to professionals when they did so.

He still volunteers at the home in Claverton when he can and also donates food, but he said the charity needs around £3,000 a day to keep running and looking after animals.

Anyone who wants to sponsor the two men can visit www.justgiving.com/the2mikes-skydive