A BLIND vicar in Hampshire is taking his faith to new heights in a bid to raise money for his church.

Mark Madavan is testing his limits by jumping out of a plane to pay for a major extension to Locks Heath Free Church.

He will be jumping 13,000ft in a tandem jump later this year to bring his church fundraising total to £4.2million.

Mark, who has a degenerative eye condition and four per cent vision in daylight, will be taking on the jump with the Royal Logistics Corps’ RLC Silver Stars at Redlands, near Swindon in September.

He is a senior minister at Locks Heath Free Church, which is near Fareham and it has become so popular they are planning an extension to cope with demand.

Hundreds have already pledged money to the church, with some members taking part in the three peaks challenge, but adrenaline-junkie Mark wanted to do something different.

He said: “I have always wanted to do a parachute jump and, when I told people, one of our congregation said he could help to make that happen.

“I want to raise a decent amount for the church - surely people would be happy to pay for a blind vicar to jump out of an aeroplane at 13,000 feet wouldn’t they.”

Mark has had an eye condition since he was young and his eyesight has worsened as he has gotten older.

More than 800 people use the church building during the week for a wide range of community functions as well as services.

Mark added: “The church building has always been a place for worship, but it is also a vital hub in reaching and enriching the wider community. We support people in the good times and the bad, providing vital courses and programmes, youth and children’s work, relationship support and many practical facilities. But the building is now restricting what we can do, and our skilled staff and volunteers are facing the prospect of turning people away unless we can expand our space.”

“We are about £500,000 short in our funding. I am confident we can close the gap but fundraising events, like me jumping out of an aeroplane, will make sure that we do.

“I am not frightened or scared of the jump - after all, I have my faith - but I am excited and looking forward to the challenge if it can bring in money to help our appeal.”

To support Mark Madavan’s parachute jump visit mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/blindleapoffaith.