Is this fundraising Birdman the barmiest in Bucks?

9:08am Thursday 14th September 2006

STUPID' Steve is used to taking part in the wackiest stunts and craziest capers, but nothing could compare to the heights of the legendary Bognor Birdman competition.

Stephen Preston, 34, of Park Meadows, Princes Risborough, has earned a name for himself as the barmiest man in Bucks for the silly stunts he pulls for charity.

On Sunday he covered himself from head to toe in dark treacle and stuck chicken feathers all over his body to take part in the annual Bognor Birdman flying competition. Competitors take it in turns to launch themselves off Bognor Regis pier in a human powered flying machine. A £25,000 reward is up for grabs for the furthest flight achieved over 100m. Steve, who gave himself the nickname Stupid Steve', had to resort to doing a running long jump off the 10m high pier after his pogostick was confiscated for his own safety, as well as that of the crowd.

He said: "I only got the stick on Friday and I wasn't very good."

He managed an admirable 6m before plummeting into the waves. But most people missed seeing him jump because at that moment a Spitfire flew overhead and upstaged him. The judges thought it was hilarious and awarded him the Lynn Trophy for the funniest moment in the competition.

To date, Steve has raised more than £1,600 for the Hearing Dogs for Deaf People charity in Saunderton. He said: "They are just down the road from me and I have a friend who works for them. They do an amazing job training and rehoming dogs to help deaf people lead a more independent life."

By day Steve is an IT support analyst for a company in Reading, but in his spare time he can be found rolling large rounds of cheese down a hill, running through Wales dressed as Scooby Doo, eating stinging nettles and getting his shins kicked in - all in the name of charity.

He said: "My favourite activity was going to the world sauna championships in Finland. All the Finnish people I met were terrific. They cranked it up to 110 degrees for the competition. I lasted a paltry two minutes and ten seconds."

But there is a serious side as Steve is dedicating his next fundraising stunt to the memory of his cousin Sam Morton - who died in a white water rafting accident in Thailand last month. Steve said: "Sam always encouraged me. She was great fun and very easy to talk to. This one is for her."

He plans to be towed by a boat, driven by a blindfolded man, on an inflatable raft across the English Channel. The stunt is due to take place on September 25 and Steve hopes to make it into the Guinness Book of Records.

To sponsor Steve visit www.stupidsteve.co.uk