A SECOND World War veteran is doing a charity skydive next month.

Norman Smith, 94 is doing a tandem parachute jump for Blind Veterans UK on August 3.

Norman, who has lived in Gwenymyndd for 37 years, is a World War 2 navy veteran, having served as a gunner engineer, serving between 1942-46.

The jump is in aide of Blind Veterans UK, a charity that supports visually impaired veterans whose sight has been affected due to combat, injury or health.

In his working life he has run his own company, was a Management Lecturer at Chester College, has published two management books.

He gained his pilot's licence at 60 to fly small planes and has also learned both gliding and microlight flying

This will be Norman's first experience of a parachute jump, and for Norman it has been a long time coming.

He said: ''Doing the skydive is always something I've wanted to and to be able to do it while raising money for charity is great.

''Blind Veterans UK have always been a charity me and my late wife Audrey have supported as we think it's a great cause.''

Norman is no stranger to fundraising activities, having completed a 12 hour dance-a-thon in aide of Nightingale House hospice in Wrexham.

Carole Roberts, daughter of Norman, added: ''All the family are extremely proud of him, we think what he's doing at his age is just amazing.

''He's a very 'with it' 94 year old and is an inspiration to other people by showing what can be achieved even in old age.''