A father from South Buckinghamshire has been inspired to face his fear of heights by doing a charity skydive after reading of a fundraising effort to help find out more about a fatal genetic condition.

Beaconsfield resident Tim James first discovered about Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy when reading about an eight-year-old child who had been diagnosed with it last year.

The fundraising effort from the child’s family left a mark on the 39-year-old who now aims to raise £1,000 when he jumps from a plane later this year.

He said: “I happened to be reading the London Evening Standard whilst on the train in September last year, and came across the article and at the bottom was the Harrison’s Fund web site address.

“So I logged on and read all about this devastating disease. My decision was made there and then, despite my fear of heights.

“I’m scared of heights so jumping out of a plane at 10,000 feet is going to be challenging.

“But what is life without challenges. I mean what is a simple jump from a plane for me compared to what Harrison and others young boys are going through.”

The fatal genetic condition affects the muscles, causing weakness and the charity’s goal is to get as much money as possible into the hands of the world’s best researchers, who are working to find a cure for Duchenne.

Alex Smith, founder of Harrison’s Fund and dad of Harrison said: “Although a controversial advert at the time, the response from the general public and people like Tim has been overwhelming positive.

“One in 3,500 boys are born with Duchenne in the UK each year and for these boys there is no hope unless we find a cure. Tim is now part of that search and for that, we are very grateful.”

The Beaconsfield man will aim to raise as much as he can for the charity on Saturday, October 24, when he jumps from a plane at Swansea Airport in South Wales.

To support Tim please visit www.justgiving.com/Tim-James6