A Weymouth man has celebrated his 70th birthday by jumping out of a plane for charity.

Tom Burnham, from Weymouth, celebrated his 70th birthday by jumping out of a plane with his two sons Joe and Dan and raising over £3000 for The Fortuneswell cancer ward at Dorset County Hospital.

Tom has terminal cancer and wanted to give back to the team at The Fortuneswell cancer ward at who have supported him.

He said: “The skydive was probably one of the top three things that I have ever done, especially with the two boys, they are amazing.

“The staff on this ward helped me during my chemotherapy and worked tirelessly to make me feel as comfortable as possible during such a difficult stage in my life.

“It was a thrill at the end of the day, I am trying to give back the efforts that they have given me – I can’t praise them enough."

The idea of a skydive came from Tom’s son Dan when he asked him what he wanted to do to celebrate his 70th birthday, he then suggested a skydive which Tom was more than up for, having been in a glider and a hot air balloon in the past.

Dorset Echo: Tom and his two son's Joe and DanTom and his two son's Joe and Dan

Tom’s wife Sally said: “I’m very proud of him, he’s my little hero and he said that it was one of the best thing’s he has done in his life.

“We were all cheering as they were coming down, it could not have gone any better and to know that he is doing it for a good cause is a double whammy.

“The Fortuneswell cancer ward team at DCH are beautiful, they’re absolutely wonderful – all the team, they are fabulous and I can’t speak highly enough of them.”

Fortuneswell Cancer Trust is a registered charity that seeks to improve the services to cancer patients in Dorset, mainly through Dorset County Hospital.

Over 12,000 patients receive treatment every year in the Fortuneswell Outpatient Unit and Ward.

The fundraiser is still open for donations and if you would like to donate, you can do so here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/sally-burnham1.