AT the ripe old age of 75 most great-grandads would be content to sit in front of the TV with their slippers and a nice cup of hot tea.

That is of course unless you are adrenaline junky Bert Boast who jumped out of a plane at 12,000ft on a charity skydive over Hampshire.

The great grandad decided to do the jump in memory of his wife Jean who died last year after battling a long-term illness at Southampton General Hospital.

The Totton football club supporter also managed to raise more than £700 for children's cancer charity Leukaemia Busters as he did the tandem jump over Salisbury.

Chuffed After reaching speeds of up to 200mph, Bert, of Allerton Close, Totton, said: "It was a lovely day and I was so chuffed to think that I did it. My wife was on my mind when I left the plane as I did it in her memory.

"About 12 members of my family were watching from below and my grandchildren were telling me how proud they were of me and that they wouldn't have the guts to do it.

"It was the experience of a lifetime and if anyone else wants to have a go there are plenty of charities waiting."

The former welder said he wasn't phased' or nervous in the run up to the skydive and put it down to the English spirit' and not wanting to back down.

He added: "It was quite a good sensation flying through the air and it felt strange that my life was in the hands of someone else. It was difficult to breath at first and when we got down to 5,000ft my instructor pulled the cord and it felt like someone had pulled you up hard by your braces."

Jean, Bert's wife of 50 years suffered from multiple sclerosis and diabetes. She died last April. While visiting her in hospital Bert noticed children in other wards suffering from long-term illnesses.

After reading a poster from Leukaemia Busters in the hospital he decided to give the skydive a go after getting the all-clear from his doctor.

Bert added: "I thought I would do it for the children. I saw so many in the hospital and I know what it's like to lose a child as we lost our daughter Lorraine just before her sixth birthday.

"When I saw the parents at the hospital I knew what they were going through."

To sponsor Bert give him a ring on 02380 866996 or for more information on skydiving visit www.netheravon.com.