A FEARLESS Troon clergyman is preparing to plunge from 10,000 feet - all in a very good cause.

The Rev David Prentice-Hyers of Troon Old Parish Church is heading to St Andrew's on Saturday, December 12 to sky dive from a plane to help boost Church funds.

He came up with the idea earlier this year as he wanted to take part in a challenge which was likely to attract support from the congregation.

American-born David said: "I had been planning to do a bungee jump from the Titan Crane in Glasgow in September. But we ended up having to move the date so I said instead of jumping off a crane why not jump out of a plane."

He has experience of indoor sky diving and that's what sold him on the idea.

"I went indoor sky diving in Austin. Texas a couple of years ago. Freefalling was a nice feeling I got a nice rush from it and enjoyed the feeling of weightlessness. I am okay with heights and taught kids to rock climb a few years ago," he added.

David admits it will be a challenge and said: "I have abseiled and bungee jumped but this will be the first time I will have jumped out of a plane.

"I am doing a tandem jump which means I am attached to a professional sky diver.. We are calling this a Jump for Joy although some people have called it a loony leap! I am excited about it and kind of intelligently fearful. I will be scared on the day as I'm about to take off. Once it's done it will be great. It's a risky thing but a managed risk. All of life is a managed risk. I will have a full day of training beforehand. The view from 10,000 feet will be amazing and I will be up in the air for 20 minutes."

The venture is aimed at helping boost vital projects within the church.

The minister added: "We are trying to raise money to do some needed repairs on the church clock tower in the Church Hall - to repair the clock itself so it's functioning again and this is part of a larger project to improve the church halls. They are heavily used and as the needs of the community change we want to make sure they are in prime condition."

So far David has raised £1500 from the jump and he added: "If we could raise another £1000 that would be great.. Hopefully the jump will capture people's attentions and they will support it. The Jump for Joy is a celebration of everything the church historically has done and what it will do in the future. All the money raised will go to the church. The church halls are not just used by us but we have the Boys Brigade here, keep fit and coffee mornings as well."

Anyone who would like to support the jump should log onto http://campaign.justgiving.com/charity/troon-oldparish/jump