MP Mark Eastwood is to take the plunge – from a plane – to raise money for The Kirkwood, the Huddersfield hospice.

The Dewsbury MP, whose constituency includes Kirkburton, Denby Dale and Skelmanthorpe, will jump out of a plane at 15,000ft, the equivalent height of 15 Emley Moor TV masts!

The tandem jump – free-falling at speeds of up to 120 mph – will take place at Hibaldstow Airfield in North Lincolnshire on September 15.

Mark said: “Despite the support given to hospices and charities during the pandemic, it has been a difficult time for them.

“I am pleased that I have this opportunity to do my bit to help out an organisation that does great work not just in their centre in Dalton but also the Rosewood Centre at Dewsbury Hospital and out in the wider community through their excellent community nurses.

“I’m really pleased to be doing this event, even if I’m a little bit nervous, sometimes politicians need to be brought back down to earth. I hope this will prompt everyone will donate what they can to support The Kirkwood.”

The hospice arranges a Skydive Challenge every year and it’s a guaranteed thrill-of-a-lifetime.

In 2020 five daredevil supporters made the jump and collectively raised £6,000 for the hospice.

Chris Moore took part as a way of giving back to The Kirkwood after spending two weeks on the In-Patient Unit.

Chris said: “The skydive was an excellent experience and I would recommend anyone to try it.

“It’s such a rush at the beginning when you are in freefall and then so calm once the parachute opens. Just take in the views, they are unreal!”

The Kirkwood chief executive Michael Crowther joked that Mark Eastwood might have had to have his arm twisted to take part but said it was a great way to raise awareness of the care and services provided by the hospice.