A parish councillor is hoping to tackle his fear of heights to raise money for a homeless charity with a sponsored skydive.

Buckhurst Hill Tory councillor Sam Clark will take a 10,000-foot plunge in support of Shelter on October 15 at Headcorn Aerodrome in Kent.

The 25-year-old bank worker says he doesn’t have a head for heights, but hopes by confronting his fears head on he can raise hundreds of pounds for the charity.

Cllr Clark said: “I am not fond of being ten feet off the ground, let alone 10,000 feet.

“But, if you are going to raise money for charity, you should do something that isn’t easy for you, this is going to be a challenge.

“In 21st Century Britain, it is not great that people are living in poor accommodation or are homeless and this is a charity which is really doing something to help change that.

“It is a very good cause and they have set me a target of raising £395, but with anything like this, you do not just want to make the minimum, I want to raise as much as I can.”

Shelter helps people across the UK struggling with housing problems or homelessness through advice, support and legal services.

For more information on Cllr Clark’s fundraising effort, visit: doitforcharity.com/samforshelterskydive.