A BRAVE pair from north Hampshire threw themselves out of a plane thousands of feet up, all in the name of fundraising.

Tony Evans, 72, and Vicki Warburton, 53, buckled up for a sponsored parachute jump to boost the Bramley Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal, raising £1,800 between them.

The duo, who are both Poppy Appeal organisers, jumped from 14,500 feet at Airfield Camp, Netheravon, near Salisbury, with the Red Devils Parachute Display Team.

Each completed a tandem jump, which involved freefalling 10,000 feet in 45 seconds, travelling at 120 miles per hour, before releasing the parachute.

Mr Evans, of Millard Close, Basingstoke, said: “It was the first time I have ever done a freefall. It was absolutely fantastic!”

The former serviceman, who was in the Army for over two decades, became a member of the Royal British Legion, aged 17, and has been chairman, vice-chairman, president and vice-president of the Bramley branch.

He is currently the standard bearer and Poppy Appeal organiser for Bramley and still works as a lorry driver.

Mrs Warburton, who spent four years with the Princess Mary’s Royal Air Force Nursing Service reaching the rank of Flight Lieutenant, said: “The five minutes of flying were so tranquil and calm. I was allowed to fly the chute, which has toggles, and that was great.”

The nurse, of Soke Road, Silchester, is the Poppy Appeal organiser for the Sherborne St John area, including Basingstoke hospital where she now works.