Two Monmouth men have completed a sponsored parachute jump, raising £2,000 for an orphanage in Kenya.

Phil Banks and Matty Bedows completed a sponsored parachute jump in September last year to raise funds for Shanzu Orphanage in Mombasa, Kenya.

The £25 that went to the sponsor who guessed the closest estimate of the time lapse for the drop went to David and Linda Head, who guessed it at four minutes 50 seconds. They kindly returned the prize money to increase their donation.

"It turned out to be the most perfect, cloudless and sunny day at Redlands Airfield, Swindon, on the appointed day much to our relief after several months of fund raising," said Phil.

"After training we climbed aboard the aircraft, myself with bright fluorescent pink hair kindly donated by Oasis Salon.

"The jump from an elevation of 12,000 feet proved to be a totally exhilarating and memorable experience – every second of the four minute and 50 second descent.

"It was a great relief that all the fundraising was completed and we were determined to enjoy the experience.

"On arrival at the airfield for registration and training, it was a little disconcerting to find all other parachutists to be much younger than ourselves. Our instructor Dan did confess to me that, at age 63, I was 'probably the oldest person that he had jumped with to date'.

"Dan was a great booster to our confidence anyway, and confirmed that on completion of the jump he was well pleased with our performance.

"Along with my wife Chris, I would like to extend my grateful thanks to all the wonderful sponsors and our dedicated team of helpers, namely Molly, Mary and her children Michael and Allison, Peter, Sarah, Steve and Wendy for their unflagging fund raising efforts.

"A special thanks to Becky at Oasis Hairdressers for the free hair dye treatment and all the local business owners who contributed so generously.

"The other Orphanage Trustees are at present deciding how best to dedicate the funds to benefit the children.

"Whatever the final decision is, we will try to make it be something that is life-shaping for them and not just putting food on the table.

"As is our usual practice we will be making the trip to the orphanage this coming year to personally hand deliver the funds raised so that we can guarantee this provision for these special children.

"Once again, many thanks to every local businessman, resident and friend for your kind and generous contributions to our cause to help the orphans of our Shanzu Orphanage Good Hope Centre, Mombasa, Kenya."