A group of 24 skydivers made a leap of faith to raise more than £13,000 last month for a heart charity in memory of a Harrow Weald man who died last year. 

Friends and family of Martyn Simpson completed the jump from 13,000 feet at Hinton Airfield, Oxford, on what would have been his 25^th birthday.  Martin, a keen footballer for local club Parkfield, died of a hidden heart abnormality when he collapsed during a match last summer.  He had no history of heart trouble.  Friends of the popular young man, who went to Hatch End High School and was known to many by his nickname Stimpy, clubbed together for the tandem jump to raise money and awareness for Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) 

After the jumpers were successfully back to earth, they continued the fundraising effort with a disco at the Wealdstone Inn pub and an auction of signed goods from Arsenal FC, the team that Martyn supported. 

Martyn’s girlfriend Cheryl Smith said: “I’d like to thank everyone for their involvement in helping us to raise £13,254.59.” 

CRY was founded in 1995 and its patrons include Ian Botham and Sir Steve Redgrave.  It promotes heart screening in schools, provides medical equipment and gives counselling to bereaved families.  Anyone who would like to make a donation to CRY in memory of Martyn can do so by donating online at www.justgiving.com/stimpy.