A DARING schoolboy has marked his 16th birthday by leaping out of a plane flying at 13,000ft for charity.

Would-be soldier Ainsleigh Buckle took part in the sky-dive to help raise money for forces charity Help For Heroes. Ainsleigh, of Thanet Road, Dringhouses, said: “I was nervous when I was getting into the plane.

“When we got to the height of the jump I looked out and jumped.

“The wind was in my face, it was like no other feeling in the world. It feels like you are floating, it’s phenomenal.”

He was in free fall with two instructors for about 7,000 feet before he released his parachute and safely landed at the site in Netheravon in Wiltshire, securing his Level One free fall parachuting qualification. The Millthorpe School pupil has so far raised about £900 for the charity to help injured soldiers.

It was an apt challenge for the Year 11 pupil, as he hopes to join the Parachute Regiment and is entering into the selection process later this month. He said: “I always wear a Help For Heroes band and I thought that I would really like to do something for the charity.

“My family, friends and people at school have sponsored me.”

If Ainsleigh is successful in joining the Paras he will be following his father, Andy, into the Army.

Sergeant Buckle said: “He has got no fear.

“I am very proud of him for raising so much money.”

For further information, or to sponsor Ainsleigh, visit www.bmycharity.com/ainsleighsjump