A retired vicar in his 90s is taking to the skies to raise money for a Christian care home for retired clergy.

Fr Robert Raikes will be parachuting from a place on his 90th birthday in a sponsored skydive, to raise money for almshouse The College of St Barnabas, and their adjoining care home.

Fr Raikes has been a resident at the home for a number of years, and is keen to see their good work continue.

The almshouse, based in Lingfield, Surrey, is of an Anglican tradition but has become home to ordained and lay residents from the spectrum of Christian backgrounds included in Churches Together in England and Wales.

The facility has two chapels and continues to host daily worship. Ex-clergy staying in St Barnabas can preside over Holy Communion, and all are welcome to attend any of their trice-daily services.

The nonagenarian will be jumping out at 10,000 ft, in tandem, above Maidstone.

The big event is set to take place on the 15th July.

I’ve seen members of staff and others do sponsored events to help us” Fr. Robert says “and I really thought that there must be something that I could do”.

“We cannot thank Robert enough for doing this” says Mike Herbert, College Fundraising Manager “we hope that his positive, get-up-and-go attitude will inspire others of all ages to do what they can to help”