A MAN whose brother has witnessed close friends die while serving in Afghanistan will conquer an acute fear of heights to raise funds for injured soldiers.
Danny Foley, 20, of Nelson Road, Walthamstow, is so saddened by the plight of his brother Charlie - who has been serving with the Rifles Fourth Battalion in Helmand province since October - that he will confront one of his greatest fears in aid of the Help the Heroes charity.
He will jump out of plane at 13,000 ft with army parachute display team the Red Devils at Bulford and Netheravon Garrison in Wiltshire in April.
Rifleman Foley’s best friend, Peter Aldridge, was killed in an explosion on Friday.
The 21-year-old has also seen another close friend, Samuel Bassett, blown up in front of him and has lost other pals.
Father-of-one Danny said: “Charlie is trying to be brave for mum but he is mentally scarred, he has not been the same.
“I think the soldiers out there could do with a lot more help and support.
“Not a lot of people seem to be backing them. People keep saying they should not be out there, and in some ways I think that too, but they are doing a job and are risking being killed for their country - they deserve our support.”
Danny has a fear of heights which prevents him from even going too close to the edge of low balconies and he is scared of flying.
He joked about doing a sky-dive with his mother Kerry Reeve and was later shocked to find she had signed him up.
He said: “Next thing I knew it had all been organised, I'm scared just thinking about it.
“There will be no training, there will be a 10 minute talk and then I will be taken up into the air.
“It won't be easy, but thinking about what our troops go through I am determined to do this.”
Help for Heroes is a registered charity which provides help and support to British servicemen and women injured in operations abroad.
Visit www.helpforheroes.org.uk/ for more information.
To support Danny visit bmycharity.com and search for Danny Foley.
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