92 year old veteran takes to the skies!

Former 'Desert Rat' Leonard Stephenson celebrated his 92nd birthday by jumping out of a plane for the Queen Alexandra Hospital Home (QAHH); raising almost £3,000 for physically disabled former members of HM Forces. The 13,000ft freefall tandem parachute jump took place on Wednesday 09 September 2009 with the Red Devils at their HQ in Wiltshire with his son Adrian, 50, also undertaking this daredevil feat!

In the same week that marks the 70th anniversary of WWII and, with QAHH's patron Dame Vera Lynn back in the charts, Rebecca Jordan, Head of Fundraising for the Queen Alexandra Hospital Home, went along to Netheravon Airfield to support the intrepid duo!

"Both father and son said it was an amazing experience and were really thrilled to have done this together – a real bonding moment!" Rebecca commented, "Leonard was so calm when he reached the ground and just smiled; very content and delighted to be able to say he's done a 13,000 ft tandem parachute! With all his years behind him, this really was an experience he will never forget. Adrian said that when you take that 'leap of faith' you are a little disorientated at first as you 'tumble' out of the aircraft but once he was 'upright', it was the most incredible view!

"We got to the airfield around 8.30am and had to wait a couple of hours for the cloud to lift and during this time, the other 'jumpers' were staggered at Leonard's courage and bravery to attempt such a challenge! Each time someone asked why they were doing this they proudly told them about the work of the Queen Alexandra Hospital Home! Fantastic ambassadors!

"The Red Devils were amazing and took special care of Leonard. They were all full of admiration for the veteran and a huge round of applause went up as Leonard touched down from his 2 1/2 mile journey through the sky.

"I was honored to be part of such an incredible experience for Adrian and Leonard and I would like to pass on thanks from all the staff, volunteers and most importantly, the residents of QAHH to these remarkable gentlemen!"

Having joined the Territorial Army shortly before the outbreak of the Second World War, Leonard was an infantryman with the 4th Battalion of the Essex Regiment, 4th Division India Brigade, Eighth Army. Choosing to raise money on behalf of the Queen Alexandra Hospital Home meant Leonard felt he was doing his bit 'for the boys'.