A GALASHIELS man is set to take on his first ever skydiving challenge for a charity close to his heart.

After making significant changes in his life to improve his health and wellbeing a year ago, as well as paying back debts he owed, Edward Fell found he could no longer make his regular donations to Cats Protection.

With his new found active lifestyle, Edward wanted to find a way to give back to his favourite cause in a new way.

He said: “In an attempt to continue this new lifestyle I wanted to push myself further. I wondered how I could use my new mentality to help the cats and kittens I was previously unable to.

“Heavily inspired by Yes Theory and Seek Discomfort, I have decided to face my biggest fear (heights) and use that experience to benefit Cats Protection.

“So, on September 30 I will be jumping out a plane at over 10,000ft to perform my first ever skydive as part of the Cats Protection charity team.”

Edward had set himself a fundraising target of £500, but he has already smashed this, raising more than £600 at the time of publication.

In the lead up to the challenge, the Gala man pushed himself even further by taking on an extra push up challenge.

Over a 48-hour period, for every £1 donated to Edward’s JustGiving page he would do one push up.

He raised £201 and recorded himself completing 201 push ups.

He even did more push ups for donations made after the two-day challenge.

Thanking donors, Edward said: “Me and all the cats and kittens in need thank you.”

To donate to Edward’s fundraiser, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/eddiesjump