Four officers from the Avon and Somerset Constabulary are doing a sponsored parachute jump to raise money for 'Help for Heroes', a charity to assist wounded soldiers coming home from Iraq and Afghanistan.

Help for Heroes work closely with the MOD to take care of soldiers wounded in Afghanistan and Iraq conflicts. They have raised close to £6,000,000 to provide services and facilities to aid with soldiers rehabilitation and care

The plucky Constables from Bishopsworth and Portbury Road are PCs Eve Lauder, Duncan Hathaway, Michael Wedlock and Kirsten Green. "We try and do something for charity every year", said PC Lauder. They felt that "Help for Heroes" was a worthy cause and required an appropriately heroic challenge!

They trained last week including a two day practical and theoretical course, lessons on safety procedures, exiting the aeroplane in the correct body position, controlling the parachute and landing safely on the parachute landing area. They were also required to complete a written and practical exam before becoming members of the British Army Parachute Association.

Unfortunately, the daring team were prevented from doing the jump on Thursday by bad weather. However, with 5 months planning they were not to be beaten and the jump was rescheduled for Friday.

The brave officers will be performing a "Solo Static Line Jump" from 3500 feet along with 5 members of the Army. The jump is made using a Ram Air (rectangular) parachute designed for the novice jumper, which opens automatically on exiting the aircraft.