D-Day inspires 88-year-old veteran to parachute for Royal British Legion

A great-grandfather skydived 15,000 feet to raise money for veterans.

James Mckellar, 88, from Horley, Surrey, raised more than £1,000 for the Royal British Legion (RBL).

The former RAF armorer said he was inspired by the 80th anniversary of D-Day.

He said: “I wanted to do something special, so I jumped out of a plane.”

Mr Mckellar, who served in Germany at the height of the Cold War, is a member of the RAF’s 1366 Armorers Branch.

He has been raising money for veteran charities for over 50 years.

He has completed 100 marathons, an ultra marathon and even learned to swim to compete in a triathlon at age 74.

After a poignant visit to the D-Day memorials in Normandy two years ago, he said he “felt a kindred spirit”.

He said: “When I was five I was bombed out of London during the Blitz. On the big day, I was 8 years old.

“When they asked for fundraisers for the RBL 80th anniversary appeal, I thought ‘I have to do something special’.”

He completed the parachute jump at a Salisbury airfield on June 16, supported by his proud family.

He was also cheered on by fellow decorated gunsmith Ian Thomas, which he said was “an honour”.

Mr Mckellar said the experience was “absolutely incredible”.

But he said jumping out of a plane was easier than receiving donations and he hadn’t yet reached his goal.

He said his main message was to remember fallen veterans who gave their all: “When you meet and see a veteran, treat them with respect, shake their hand and hug them because this is a generation we will never see again.