Whitchurch’s Tilstock airfield has helped a BBC Shropshire radio presenter to raise vital funds for disabled children in the county.

Vicki Archer, a radio presenter who co-hosts the popular afternoon show, completed a 10,000ft charity skydive at the airfield.

Vicki, a presenter at BBC Radio Shropshire for a decade, said many thought she had lost her mind wanting to do the jump and that she chose Caudwell Children’s charity after finding out, online, about the support that they give to disabled children.

“I know a lot of people who have children who haven’t had the best of starts in life,” she said.

“By doing something as simple as this you can help Caudwell Children to provide family support together with a range of specialist equipment, therapies, short brakes and holidays to disabled children.

“I think many of my friends thought I was going through a mid-life crisis when they found out that I was going to do the jump.

“They could understand why I wanted to do it but they thought I was mad. I know that my late father would have been proud of me but I have to say I didn’t really think too much about what I was doing until the day of the jump.

“I arrived at the airfield at 8am to fill in a number of health and safety forms, after which we had a thorough briefing.

“I was then introduced to Tony, my tandem skydiver, who told me that he had done over 6,000 jumps, which was very reassuring.

“He was a lovely man who put me at ease by telling me loads of jokes and he kept everything really matter of fact.”

The actual jump was actually a moment of peace for Vicki, who jumped from 10,000ft.

She added: “It was a cold and crisp day and the temperature was minus six degrees, but I had been instructed to wear a good number of layers of clothing.

“The jump itself was simply extraordinary. The noise of the air was deafening as we plunged towards the earth at 120 mile an hour.

“But when the chute opened everything suddenly became tranquil and I had loads of time to take in the amazing views of the north Shropshire countryside.”

You can support Vicki through her Just Giving page here: www.justgiving.com/vicki-archer1

You can register to take on a skydive for Caudwell Children here: www.caudwellchildren.com/fundraising-event/skydive-for-caudwell-children/