A FIRE chief will be jumping out of a plane to raise money in memory of former firefighter Robbie Jones.

Mr Jones, who passed away last year, was a hugely popular figure in the Aberystwyth area.

A firefighter, Robbie was also a former Aberystwyth Town FC player as well as Padarn United, Llanrhystud and New Quay.

He also worked at Bronglais Hospital for a number of years and was a dedicated member of the Ceredigion Gundog Club.

Liz Calligan, who is Command Co-Ordinator for the Northern Division of the Mid and West Wales Fire Service, has decided to do a Tandem Skydive in memory of Robbie.

Liz will take on this fundraising challenge on 4 September with all proceeds being donated to Macmillan Cancer Support.

Liz said: “Robbie was a devoted father to Elan and a committed family man who is missed dearly by all who knew him. It will be an honour to do something like this, which is completely out of my comfort zone, in his memory and to donate to such a worthy cause.”

Robbie was a popular member of the community; he was a proud member of Aberystwyth Gun Dog Club as well as a keen supporter and past player of Aberystwyth FC. He spent most of his career at Aberystwyth Fire Station where in the latter years he became a Station Liaison Officer for Ceredigion Command and a true pillar of the community.

Statistics show that half of us will get cancer at some point in our lives. There are currently around 2.5 million people across the UK who are living with the consequences of a cancer diagnosis and this number is set to rise to 4 million by 2030. Every two minutes someone is diagnosed with cancer in the UK and it can affect anyone.

Macmillan provides medical, emotional, financial and practical help for cancer patients, from specialist cancer nurses to grants for cancer patients with money problems. This is an invaluable service for all those living with cancer.

If you would like to support Liz by donating, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Elizabeth-Calligan