A daredevil had the flight of his life yesterday as he flew in a Spitfire plane to raise money for the charity he volunteers for.

Keith Gillard ticked off one of his bucket list experiences by taking a 20 minute flight in the iconic plane as part of a fundraising drive for the British Red Cross.

The Chalfont St Peter resident - who has also taken part in parachute jumps, abseils and free falls in the name of charity - is a volunteer at the Red Cross shop in his home village, while wife Maureen is the manager.

He said: "Like lots of young boys I watched films about the Battle of Britain. The pilots and the historic planes sparked my imagination. As a child I also built models of the iconic spitfires so when I found out that it was possible to fly one I had to do it."

Wife Maureen added: "Keith has always taken on dangerous activities for charity. I was filming the event but I had my heart in my mouth, especially when I watched him doing the barrel or ‘victory’ roll – turning the plane upside down in a 360 degree turn."

Mr Gillard forked out £3,000 of his own money for the once-in-a-lifetime journey and is now looking for others to help raise money for charity, in time for Red Cross Week - which begins on Monday.

Sharon Cooper, Senior Community Fundraiser for the Red Cross in Buckinghamshire, said: "I am so excited that Keith has got this once in a lifetime opportunity to fly a Spitfire and chuffed to bits that he wants to raise money for Red Cross Week. We are all behind him and can’t thank him enough. I hope lots of people support Keith and the Red Cross by sponsoring him."

To sponsor Mr Gillard go to http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/KeithGillard or complete a form at the British Red Cross Shop at 11 Market Place, or at the Vintage Butterfly Shop at 5 Market Place.