Portland prison instructor skydives with Bear Grylls

A prison instructor from HMP The Verne on Portland has taking part in a charity skydive, alongside TV adventurer Bear Grylls.

47 year old Mark Robinson was among 18 people to join in a charity jump for Support Our Paras - the official cause for the Parachute Regiment.

The effort collectively raised around £4,000.

Mark says he quite literally jumped at the chance to take part:

“I’ve been working at HMP The Verne for around 20 years but I met Mark Pulman while on detachment at HMP Bristol and I know he’s always organising various challenges. So when he reached out and mentioned a charity sky dive with the Red Devils Parachute Regiment I was delighted – I put my name down straight away.

"It’s something I’ve always wanted to try, but to do it in this way and with the best of the best, it’s a day I will always remember – especially when Bear Grylls turned up out of the blue, that was brilliant. Mostly I was excited, until I felt my legs dangling outside the side of the plane!

Bear broke his back during a parachute jump in 1996, but is still a regular jumper and joined the prison staff during their attempt.

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