A high-flying Harpenden minister will skydive for the first time to raise money for a charity’s renovation.

Salvation Army Captain Kenneth Guest, 53, is asking for sponsorship to jump out of a plane to raise funds for their new building in Leyton Green.

He will touch down at Hinton Airfield, Brackley in Northamptonshire after freefalling at 120mph.

The Christian charity is revamping its premises after its annual Christmas Day lunch was full to capacity and the kitchen struggling to cater for all 80 guests.

Kenneth hopes to raise £5,000 towards a new hub, which will also include a café, bigger worship hall, counselling room, entrance lobby, two multi-purpose community halls, offices, toilet facilities and improved accessibility throughout.

He said: “This is completely out of my comfort zone. I don’t do roller-coasters. I’m not sporty.

“I have been on a plane before so that’s a good start and I won’t be alone - I’ll have an instructor strapped to my back. I’m hoping to raise lots of money for our new community kitchen which is at the heart of our redevelopment plans.”

Adding: “We’re at full capacity on Christmas Day and our kitchen is on its last legs. We want to create a bigger, more welcoming space that will be fully accessible and able to better serve our community.

“The building project will not only allow us to improve our community services at Christmas, but will also enable us to be there for people who need us every day. A new improved kitchen will be vital for our community cafe and developing an engaging programme for young and older people.

“All the best parties start in the kitchen – besides good food and refreshment, it’s a place where people talk, where people are supported and where people work alongside each other.”

He said that even though Harpenden has a lot of community spirit, there are still people “on the edges”, who need support. Building work is scheduled to start in the spring.

To sponsor Kenneth visit https://www.justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/salvationarmy/skydive2018

Find out more about where the sponsorship money will be spent at www.salvationarmy.org.uk/harpenden-skydive