A DARING 83 year-old has defied his age and fears by leaping 13,000 feet from a plane to raise money for air force veterans.

Geoffrey Griffiths, from Monkhams Avenue, Woodford Green, took to the skies on Saturday, October 10, in aid of the RAF Benevolent Fund, which provides practical and emotional support for current and former members of the service and their families.

The pensioner, whose developed his passion for the RAF while watching its pilots battling the Luftwaffe over London during the Second World War, hoped to raise more than £4,000 from the event - which was part of the Fund’s 90th anniversary celebrations.

The former engineer, who helped build aircraft for Bomber Command during the Second World War, underwent intensive training to prepare him for the jump - which was his first ever.

He was delighted - and a little releaved - to complete the feat after heavy cloud cover led to two aborted attempts in July and September.

He said: "October 10 was a fine sunny day and I jumped from 13,000 feet.

"It was fantastic, and I would love to do it again.

"I have always been fascinated by the RAF.

"My father served in the Royal Flying Corps during the First World War and I watched the RAF in action during the Second World War.

"It has served our country for 90 years. We owe much to those servicemen, so it seems only right I should help by raising money for the RAF Benevolent Fund."

To support Mr Griffiths visit: justgiving.com/geoffgriff.

For more information about the RAF Benevolent Fund - which was established in 1919 - visit: rafbf.org