PARACHUTING pensioner Malcolm Henson said he d go to any height to boost the Ottery and District Help Scheme- and he really meant it.

PARACHUTING pensioner Malcolm Henson said he'd go to any height to boost the Ottery and District Help Scheme- and he really meant it.

It was fourth time lucky for 77-year-old granddad Malcolm as he finally plunged 15,000ft from an aeroplane to boost the Herald's CAMPIAGN 2010 by �1,000.

Plucky Malcolm was 21 years older than any of the fellow skydivers who leap from five miles up on Saturday.

The Brookdale resident took to the skies in a bid to save the service that helped him overcome heartache.

Bad weather had halted three previous jump attempts but Malcolm got the nod at 7pm.

The pensioner now faces a challenge to collect pledged sponsorship cash.

"It was fantastic," he said, "I didn't enjoy the freefall as much as I expected, but once the parachute opened the view was beautiful, I could see for miles."

Widower Malcolm knows the true value of the help scheme after its bereavement support service helped him deal with the death of his wife seven years ago.

He then found a best friend and companion in partner Anne Stone, 78, who had lost her husband. The couple met thanks to the service.

"They helped me in hard times, I'm just happy to be able to give something back," said Malcolm, a Help Scheme volunteer driver.

"He made me feel so proud," said Anne.