Twelve years ago he was kicking down doors to save a grandmother and her grandchildren from a house fire.

Now George Riccardi is jumping out of a plane in memory of his friend Martyn Hett who was "cruelly taken" in the Manchester bombing and also to raise money for Turning Point.

The former recipient of the Croydon Champions award for bravery said Turning Point - a drug and alcohol recovery centre - was very close to his heart.

"I have a lot of friends with drug and alcohol problems," he said.

"Turning Point is a great way to help people in Croydon recover and it's been a very good place for a very long time."

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Why did he decide to film himself skydiving of all things?

Well he believes it's one of the most daring things he could do.

"I have a fear of heights, so not only am I doing it to prove I can, but I think it's one of the biggest things you can do," Mr Riccardi said.

"I am very excited but the anticipation is killing me.

"I'm just hoping that I don't end up looking like a blowfish on camera."

Mr Riccardi will also be honouring his late friend's memory with the 15,000 foot skydive.

"Martyn, knowing what I’m doing, would have been behind me all the way," he said.

"This is just me saying goodbye friend, I’ll miss you and you’ll never be forgotten."

Mr Riccardi is paying for the skydive out of his own pocket and is hoping to raise £1500 for Turning Point.