A SOLDIER from Okehampton has overcome his fear of heights to jump from a plane at 12,000 feet to help raise money to help others invalided out of the services.

Ricky Moore took part in the tandem parachute jump at an aerodrome in Kent earlier this month, strapped to an instructor.

His jump was watched by his brother Stuart, who is also a serving soldier.

Ricky said the worst part was going up in the plane.

‘When I exited the plane I fell for 7,000 feet before my parachute opened, but it felt like it opened instantly as soon as I jumped out. Later, when I watched the video, I realised it was quite a long way,’ he said. ‘Once my parachute opened and the instructor had sorted out my harness and loosened me off, he said “relax, look around and enjoy yourself”. I think it took about 20 minutes to float down.’

Ricky, 32, serves with the Royal Logistics Corps in Tidworth on Salisbury Plain, returning to Okehampton at weekends. He has so far raised nearly £600 for the Royal British Legion Industries through the Just Giving website.

The money will be used to provide employment and other life-changing support to soldiers invalided out of the armed forces.

He said: ‘At work we are asked to do charity work and I was looking around for what I could do, and I saw the Royal British Legion charity. I thought they would be good to raise money for because they help us when we get injured. What better way of overcoming my fears as well as supporting the guys who are supporting us?’

He said his brother was filming the proceedings from the aerodrome below. ‘He was trying to work out which dot in the sky was me!’