A 72-YEAR-OLD Cupar man is to leap 10,000 feet from a plane in memory of his son.

Bill Archibald and wife Ella were devastated when their son Billy died suddenly four years ago at the age of 38.

But Mr Archibald has continued his son’s charity support and when he makes his jump at Skydive St Andrews it will be in aid of Billy’s favourite charity, the Children’s Hospice Association Scotland (CHAS).

The hearse driver, who has three grandchildren, will perform the daring feat almost four years to the day since Billy’s death.

Billy, who was an intensive care charge nurse in Edinburgh, was found dead by his family in July 2003 in his home in the capital. The cause was recorded as sudden adult death syndrome.

“It has not been an easy four years for us,” said Mr Archibald, who added he was determined to do the skydive to help children at the CHAS-funded Kinross hospice, Rachel House.

“CHAS was Billy’s favourite charity and I’ve been involved with it as well for about 12 years.”

Mr Archibald, who retires from Cupar funeral directors William Jordan & Son tomorrow, said he had seen first hand the support given to seriously ill children at Rachel House and hoped to raise as much money as he could to help.

His bravery is even more impressive considering he has had two hip replacement operations. It is on doctor’s advice that he is undertaking a tandem rather than a solo skydive.

But although he served in the RAF some 50 years ago, he admitted some nerves ahead of the big day on July 22.

He said, “Anyone doing a skydive who says they are not frightened is lying!”

Bill, of Thomastoun Drive, is collecting sponsorship ahead of his jump. Anyone wishing to support him can phone him on 01334 655951 or fill in a sponsorship form at John Gilmour newsagents in the Bonnygate.