Mark throws worst fears up in the air

Mark Lowe (red helmet) and Martin Knowles

A FORMER soldier with a fear of heights put himself to the ultimate test by taking part in a fund-raising skydive for the Help for Heroes charity.

Mark Lowe (47), from Adlington Street, Watersheddings, was so inspired by the work of the serving forces, he took to the skies with his pal Martin Knowles to jump 13,000ft from a plane with the Red Devils.

The father-of-two, pictured in the red helmet, served as a sapper in the Royal Engineers for four-and-a-half years but now works as a team leader at Fulfilment Logistics in Shaw.

He said: “I’m lucky that I didn’t see active service and feel that the Government aren’t doing enough for our soldiers. Young people get a bad press but they are out there fighting.” Mr Lowe and friend Martin Knowles joined the Red Devils Tandem Skydive team at Langer Airfield, Nottingham. Following a 30-minute talk-through, the pair donned jumpsuits, helmets and goggles and headed up in a plane.

He added: “I’m scared of heights, and it was frightening when they opened the door but you don’t get much time to think, you just do it.

“The free-fall lasted 60 seconds followed by a five-minute glide back to the ground. It was fantastic!”

The pair raised £2,000 through sponsorship which has been donated to the charity.