AN Alton man may get the surprise of a lifetime for his 27th birthday, when his wife drives him to an airfield to take part in a 10,000ft skydive in aid of charity.

Unbeknown to him, Nick Dye will be celebrating his special day by jumping out of an aircraft above Salisbury Plain.

The ‘treat’ has been organised by wife Bethany, who wanted something different for her husband’s birthday and came up with an experience he is unlikely to forget.

According to the family, the father-of-three has never jumped out of an aircraft before, with or without a parachute and, together with friends, they are trying to keep it as a surprise – while at the same time trying to raise as much sponsorship money for him as possible.

The aim is to try to prevent Nick from reading any local newspapers or social media so that on Saturday, September 19, when he is driven to Old Sarum Airfield, he will have absolutely no idea what is awaiting him.

Meanwhile, the campaign is on to attract as much sponsorship as possible in support of two charities: the Rhiannon Trust – set up by Beth’s family in memory of her younger sister who died aged just 16, to help towards the cost of children’s funerals and to support equipment and holidays for children with special needs; and the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at Southampton General Hospital.

The family has to raise an initial £350 in order to secure Nick’s place and to benefit PICU, while anything raised over that amount will be split between the two charities.

Sponsorship forms are available at Alton Assembly Rooms and Bushy Leaze Children and Family Centre, the Alton Herald office, as well as other outlets in the town.