Pub regulars take a bungee leap in memory of pal

8:27am Friday 6th June 2008

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By Ash Bolton »

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ONE by one they plunged to earth from a dizzying 200ft in the air.

Dozens of hardcore adrenaline junkies stepped into thin air from the top of a crane with just an elastic rope to stop them hitting the ground in a pub car park.

More than 30 brave souls took a deep breath and took part in the charity bungee jump at the Saints pub in Millbrook, Southampton. Standing an impressive 200ft tall in the pub's car park the mobile bungee crane could be seen from miles across the city.

Hundreds of revellers packed the pub's car park to the brim to cheer on jumpers as they helped raise more than £1,500 in memory of former pub regular Steve Gill.

Steve, a former soldier and electrician, died two years ago after falling from the Redbridge flyover on his way home from Totton.

Watch Echo reporter's terror as he takes the leap

The 46-year-old was in a coma for 12 days in the intensive care ward at Southampton General Hospital before he lost his fight for life.

Family and friends decided to raise the money for the hospital's children's intensive care ward in his honour.

Saints pub manager Tracy Ames, who helped organised the event, said Steve was a larger than life character.

"He was a very well known man so I got together with the family and we came up with this idea to raise money for the children's intensive care ward as he loved children. So today's event is in memory of him."

Many regulars remembered the fun loving dad-of-one for being the first streaker to run on to the pitch at St Mary's Stadium in March 2002 during a match against Middlesborough.

Tracy said: "It was brilliant as all he had on was a pair of sunglasses. He did it as a bet but all the money he raised he used to pay the £300 fine with."

Hundreds of people also turned up to a fun day held in Steve's honour at the pub two weeks ago. That raised £800 for the hospital with a raffle, tombola, indoor bouncy castle and face painting.