A CABIN crew member will jump out of a plane to help raise money to give seriously ill children a once-in-a-lifetime holiday experience.

Gavin Bowles, 24, of Woodcote Way, Benfleet, has worked for British Airways for the last threeand-a-half years.

Later this year, along with 12 colleagues, he will take part in a skydive from 13,000 feet in aid of the charity Dreamflight.

The charity will offer 192 seriously ill or disabled children the chance to visit Disneyworld in Florida for a ten-day holiday.

Gavin said: “The trip is run purely by dedicated volunteers, who give up their time to take the children.

“They charter a Boeing 747 from British Airways and also require a team of medical experts to travel with them.

“For the majority of the children, this is their very first time away from their family, so it’s a mixture of nerves and excitement.

They are treated like VIPs, by having aacelebrity attend the launch and departure day.

“It’s really rewarding to get involved in something like this.”

The entire trip costs the charity £750,000, which is funded entirely by donations and fundraising.

Although he spends most of his working life thousands of feet in the air, Gavin admits he has a fear of heights.

The former King John School pupil said: “I’m happy when I’m in the plane and I know the door is locked, but when we do the jump, the door will be open and I’m just going to get pushed out.

“This will be the first time I’ve done anything like this. Me and a friend wanted to do something to raise money, so he dared me to do the skydive.”

Gavin will take place in the tandem skydive on May 28.

To sponsor him, visit justgivng.com/gavin-bowles or text BAGB74 plus an amount to 70070 – for example BAGB74 £5.