RETIRED Cardigan paramedic Pete Barker took to the skies on Saturday, 27 February to celebrate his 65th birthday and to raise much-needed funds for the British Heart Foundation, to help with research into coronary heart disease, the UK’s biggest killer.

Pete is chairman of the Cardigan BHF branch, which he formed 29 years ago, which has helped to raise thousands of pounds over the years for various projects and for research.

Pete arrived at Swansea Airport with his family and was given a training session and safety procedures that he would need to know for his jump.

The flight up to 12,000 feet was exhilarating, but more was to come as Pete rolled forward with his tandem instructor and out of the aircraft door “into clouds of cotton wool” at 150 mph for around eight seconds, before emerging into bright sunlight and fantastic views of Swansea City and the bay.

He has managed to raise £5,600 so far, exceeding his initial target of £5,000.

If there is anyone who would like to help him reach his new target of £6,000, visit www.justgiving.com/Peter-Barker7, by the end of the month, when he intends to send all the money to the BHF.