At Next Doncaster Call Centre we firmly believe in helping others, and know how truly blessed we are to live happy, healthy lives.

In 2019, Next is supporting Hope Against Cancer, a Leicester based charity. Hope Against Cancer is Leicestershire and Rutland’s local cancer research charity - who fund cutting-edge research in the area and have made clinical trials available to local people. They also fund innovative research that leads to improved treatments and better outcomes for local people.

So here's the thing. I'm afraid of heights. To a ridiculous degree. My wife will vouch for me when I say that standing on a chair to change a light bulb is enough to induce a mild panic because I don't like that sensation of feeling like I'm about to fall.

I'M DOING A TANDEM PARACHUTE JUMP.

That's every bit as ridiculous as it sounds. The man who can't change light bulbs in his own house has signed up (the deposit is paid and the date is set) to jump out of a plane from 10,000 feet with another bloke strapped to his back and the only thing saving me is a hanky in a backpack. If nothing else, sponsor me because the video will be hilarious!

Seriously though, I'm an adrenaline freak and I love roller coasters but this is beyond anything I've ever done. I don't mind rollercoasters because I'm strapped in and generally feel safe - this is WAY out of my comfort zone in every possible way.

Cancer is something I have a real passion for finding a cure for. Like many people, I've lost people to cancer - far too many to mention, and sadly the list of people lost to this horrible disease grows every day. I'd love it if in my lifetime we could give it the 'heave ho' and banish it to the history books.

I'll be making the jump with two colleagues, Yamuna and Janet - both of whom will be fundraising separately. I'd like to raise £500 to go towards Hope Against Cancer's ongoing search for a cure.