Allan Hill has no plans to spend his 80th birthday sipping sherry with his feet up – he’s going to celebrate by jumping out of a plane from 15,000ft.

Midweek Herald: Allan Hill and his wife Val before his skydive in New Zealand when he was 70Allan Hill and his wife Val before his skydive in New Zealand when he was 70 (Image: Archant)

He has organised a tandem skydive to raise money for his favourite charity – Devon Air Ambulance.

Allan, of Abbey Close, Axminster, says his motto is: ‘Growing old is inevitable – but growing up is optional!’.

He is hoping to raise £2,000 in sponsorship for the flying medics when he leaps from a plane over Dunkeswell, on February 3.

He told the Herald: “A lot of people have a party, but you only end up with a sore head, so I decided to do something a little challenging and help something which I have got a feeling for.

“I am a motorcyclist and although I hope I never have to use the air ambulance, I am comforted by the fact that it is there. I am lucky enough to be in pretty good health so that I can do this.”

Allan, who has two artificial hips, has skydived before. He did a tandem jump aged 70 while on holiday in New Zealand.

The former BT engineer retired to Axminster with his wife Val some 30 years ago.

People can sponsor him online at http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/AllanHill2 or call him on 01297 32967.