Veterans honour Archbishop of York

Archbishop completes parachute jump in tandem (Steven Candelish/Red Devils)

The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu stepped out of a plane at 12,500 feet in June last year to raise cash for the Afghanistan Trust, a charity that supports the families of paratroopers wounded or killed in service in Afghanistan.

The members of the York branch of the Parachute Regimental Association will welcome the new "recruit" to the Imphal Barracks Sergeant's Mess in Fulford where he will be presented with a membership certificate by the Association's Chairman Mr Don Marshall.

"We admired his pluck in doing the 12,500 foot jump with the Red Devils," said Mr Marshall from Woodthorpe.

"At his age and with his background it is not the sort of thing you expect – after all there are 59-year-old businessmen who would run a mile if you suggested a parachute jump to them!"

Dr Sentamu who was inaugurated as Archbishop of York in 2005 will also receive a framed picture from Lieutenant General Sir Michael Gray, President of the Parachute Regimental Association's York branch. The picture of the York branch on parade outside York Minster in 1990 was painted by Association member and local artist John Sellars to commemorate the 50^th anniversary of the Parachute Regiment.

The Archbishop of York said: "I give thanks today for the amazing sacrifice our armed forces and their families have made. As a new recruit of York branch of the Parachute Regimental Association, my parachute experience was one which I would commend for all! My fundraising target for the jump, on behalf of the Afghanistan Trust, was £50,000. Thank you for your contributions – together we raised over £100,000."

Anyone who has served with the Airborne Forces or the Parachute Regiment who is interested in knowing more about the Parachute Regimental Association's York branch should contact Mr Don Marshall on 01904 704589.

For more information on the ceremony please call Penny Veale, Army Media Operations on 01904 662066 or 07710 906459.