AN 86-YEAR-old Ivy House, Wellington, resident has completed his fourth skydive to raise money for Alzheimer’s Society.

Brian Standring took the leap from 15,000 ft at the Dunkeswell Aerodrome in Honiton.

After three planned dates that were cancelled due to bad weather, Brian finally jumped on June 11, followed by what he describes as a “quite comfortable” landing.

Brian said: “Despite an OK start to the day, by the time we had gone through the training session and safety video, the weather had become cloudy, gradually getting worse.

“When we got up there, all we saw was clouds everywhere, as far as we could see.

“The whole thing took around 25 minutes. It started with a free fall strapped to an instructor, about 30-40 seconds, travelling at around 100 miles per hour. It just felt very, very windy, but I was able to muster plenty of smiles for my photographer!

“Then it became still as we slowly descended, now with an open parachute. We went down through the cloud, when you can’t see anything, and then we got a breathtaking view.

“Despite the weather, a parachute jump is unique in every way – a superb sight of our land, all stretched out before you; the excitement, the wonder, the colours, and a sure feeling of being in safe hands. Much safer than driving on the M5!

“Oh yes, and a birds’ eye view of other birds – quite a strange experience!”

With each jump, Brian endeavours to raise money for the charity Alzehimer’s Society, a cause close to his heart.

Brian explained: “While I skydive for the excitement and pleasure it provides me, my key reason is that it is a good story to help me fundraise for Alzheimer's Society, and ultimately those living with dementia and their carer partners.

Having previously helped to care for his friend, Alan, and had other friends who have lost their lives to dementia, Brian said he knows all too well the tremendous toll it can take, not just on people who live with dementia, but also their friends and family.

He calls the day-to-day experience of carers “the rough end” when it comes to dealing with the effects, and it was Alan’s diagnosis that inspired him to become a Dementia Friend in 2014, a programme run by Alzheimer’s Society.

He continued: “Ever since, I’ve been passionate about trying to do something, whatever it might be, to help people with dementia.

“The great thing about being a Dementia Friend is that you can be a ‘friend’ to someone with dementia, however you interpret that to be. There are so many opportunities to choose from, and you can give however much time you want.”

One in three people will develop dementia - the UK’s biggest killer - in their lifetime.

Brian stresses: “Every pound raised means that Alzheimer’s Society can continue being a vital source of support and a powerful force for change for everyone living with dementia.”