A vicar from Newcastle has given a holy blessing from 14,000ft in the air, as he took on a charity skydive.

Rev Gerard Rundell said the dramatic stunt had always been a dream of his. Through sponsoring, over £2500 was raised for the Family and Children’s Worker Fund at St Aidan's Church in Brunton Park, Gosforth.

Rundell was in freefall for a “surreal” 50 seconds, when his instructor asked him to bless the cameraman.

“It was a wonderful experience and not something I was expecting,” he told Chronicle Live.

"It was beautiful up there above the clouds, and as I descended I could look out to the sea and the Durham landscape.”

“Everyone has been incredibly generous,” he added. “We are delighted at the amount of money this has raised, which will make a difference to how we support children, young people and families in our community.”