Steep fast flyer!

SOARING success . . . Kwok Wong and an instructor during his 15,000 ft freefall skydive

Chippy owner overcomes fear of heights and disaster for skydive

A CHIPPY owner braved his fear of heights and a skydive tragedy to jump 15,000ft from a plane for charity.

Plucky Kwok Wong took to the skies just the day after two experienced jumpers fell to their deaths after their parachute equipment became entangled in a freak accident in Nottinghamshire, last week.

But he enjoyed an exhilarating experience as he soared through the air to raise £1,750 for the Aplastic Anaemia Trust.

Mr Wong, who owns the Ree Ming Chippy in Oldham Road, Royton, took part to support his next-door neighbour, who has the serious rare disease, also known as Bone Marrow Failure.

He said: “She showed me a video of her doing a skydive to raise money and talked me into doing one. As it was for a good cause I gave it a go.

“I was really frightened as I’m really scared of heights. It was also on my mind that two experienced parachutists died the day before. That really put me off.

“I had a cameraman coming down with me and it was head to head and I thought ‘it’s getting a bit too close’.”

Mr Wong was put at ease by the friendliness of other fundraisers also jumping at the airfield in Cockerham, Lancashire, and a hug from his son, Callum (14) and daughter Vanessa (12), before his airplane set off.

His children both want to do a skydive themselves.

The 40-year-old dad said: “I was really scared when they opened the door of the airplane. I thought ‘Oh God, this is it’. But when we jumped out it felt really good.

At 5,000ft the feeling was fantastic. When the parachute opened the guy I was attached to gave me the controls to glide down and I thought ‘this is freedom.’ The weather was perfect with clear skies and I could see for miles.

“It was a great, soft landing and was a great experience.

“I’m glad I did. I would love to do it again but as a solo this time. I would have to train for that.”

He was delighted with the large amount raised, adding: “Lots of customers sponsored me.

“They have all been very generous.”

Mr Wong recently had to close his popular takeaway for four weeks after a chip range fire but it was reopened last month by Shaw actress Shobna Gulati, who plays Sunita Alahan in ITV soap “Coronation Street”.