A PENSIONER flew in a microglider at 500 feet to raise money for a charity in Brecon.

Geoffrey Sykes, who has lived in Brecon since he moved here with the army in 1966, raised £1,000 for the Brecon Volunteer Bureau which is a charity in the town which voluntarily supports people who are elderly, disabled or vulnerable in some way.

The 70-year-old aims to complete a challenge every year to raise money for different charities including a hot air balloon trip, walking up Pen y Fan, swimming 26 miles –the distance of the channel, and cycling 25 miles with other disabled people in Cardiff which he said was the most difficult so far.

In 2006 Geoff suffered a severe stroke which left him unable to do various tasks like talking or counting. Since then Geoffrey still cannot use the right side of his body although he is able to stand up.

He said: “I like to challenge myself because it makes people think ‘if he can do it, I can do it’. There’s no point in standing on a street corner shaking a tin to raise money when you can do something.

“I hope it will encourage people to get off their backsides and go do something.”

Ex-parachutist Geoff said he wasn’t phased by the microglider which was like “catching a bus” compared to the 10,000ft free fall he would do from an aeroplane with the army.

Geoff said he wants to thank the people of Brecon for their continued support and that he is already thinking of his next challenge.

Brecon Volunteer Bureau manager Sue Spalding said: “Geoff’s fundraising efforts are well known in Brecon and we are honoured to be a beneficiary, we cannot thank him enough for his kind donation.”