SOUTH Gloucestershire Council’s thrill seeker chairman has taken a leap of faith by completing a skydive for charity.

Cllr Howard Gawler, a grandfather who at 71-years-old may not appear like an adrenalin junkie, jumped out a plane at 10,000 feet in aid of the Great Western Air Ambulance Charity (GWAAC).

The Liberal Democrat councillor, who represents the Ladden Brook ward on the authority, said it was an ‘exhilarating experience’.

He told the Gazette: “It all went well and I am pleased with myself for having done it but I am not sure it is something I will be repeating.

“Stepping out of an airplane and freefalling was no problem at all. But the few seconds when we started circling was not very pleasant.”

He added: “The freefall was wonderful. We were above the clouds in beautiful blue skies and that part was great fun. When we opened up the parachute everything went quiet and we actually came in quite gently.”

He completed the tandem dive along with nine other fundraisers for GWAAC including his niece Sarah Farthing, from Wick.

Cllr Gawler, who took up his term of office as chairman in May, has so far raised more than £2,000 for GWAAC, one of his two chosen charities for the year. He is also raising money for Yate-based Hosanna Primary School Group which was established in 2003 by two teachers from Brimsham Green School and supports Hosanna Primary School in Kampala, Uganda.

“I have been told I have set the bar very high,” he said. “I have been well supported by other councillors although they think I am barmy.

“Some have suggested other fundraising ideas including bungee jumping, abseiling, a zip wire or even a sumo suit challenge. I may do something else later in my year of office but I certainly will not be doing a bungee jump.

“This has been a pretty good start to my year of fundraising.”

To sponsor him visit Cllr Gawler’s fundraising page www.justgiving.com/ChairsCharity2014