HE SAID he would never do it again, but now daredevil pensioner Sid King is gearing up for his fifth skydive – at the age of 87.

Super Sid will take to the skies for a tandem jump at Hinton Airfield, near Oxford, on September 7, to raise money for Age Concern Hampshire.

After his last jump in 2008, Sid, of St Peter’s Road, South Ham, Basingstoke, told The Gazette that he would not be taking to the skies again – much to the relief of his wife Phyllis.

But Mr King said he was moved to reach for the sky again again to help reverse the plight of the elderly.

He said: “There’s not enough help out there for older people – this is what this is all about.

“I’m not talking about myself or retired people, because we are not doing too bad with bus passes and so on, but it is the elderly people who are housebound who need more support.”

He added: “I went to the doctor first because where I am doing it, they need a form to make sure I am fit and well. Everything was all right and I passed. I’m not nervous – I think it’s a bit of a buzz.”

Sid, who worked in the boilerhouse at the former Park Prewett psychiatric hospital, in Basingstoke, for 41 years, has completed five London Marathons in his lifetime, once cycled from Land’s End to Basingstoke, and has been skydiving four times.

While he will undoubtedly get a lot of support, his wife Phyllis is still not too happy that Sid has gone back on his word. She said: “I got his promise (not to skydive) in black and white last time when it went in the paper. But it’s nothing to do with me – he would just do it any way.”

The skydive is being sponsored by BNEC Ltd, an electrician’s firm based in Chandler’s Ford.

To sponsor Sid, contact Age Concern Hampshire in Basingstoke on 01256 423874.