The 80-year-old Bleary man jumped out of a plane at 13,000 feet for the Alzheimer's Society, at the weekend.

The OAP (old age parachutist) jumped in tandem with an instructor from the Wild Geese Sky-diving Team based at Garvagh.

The octogenarian is a fundraiser for the Craigavon and Banbridge branch of the charity and as Joe said: "It's the maddest thing I've ever done.

"The worst part was the free-fall, We fell for 6,000ft before the instructor pulled the ripcord.

"It was absolutely terrifying falling at a speed of 130mph, with the wind in your face - it was bitterly cold and then it started to rain.

"I was panicking just before the instructor went to pull the cord - I thought he could have pulled the wrong one - detaching me - and give me my first and only taste of a solo jump.

"We fell for about 45 seconds before the 'chute opened and it felt like an absolute eternity.

"But when the parachute opened we gently glided down to the ground and that was amazing - it took about 12 minutes in all to get to the ground.

"I absolutely loved it and would not hesitate to do it again, it was a tremendous feeling - totally exhilarating.

"But if I were to do it again I would want that parachute opened as soon as I was out of the plane."

Joe's family, including his three daughters, Jeanette Thornton, Venita Clayton and Lorraine Sheppard travelled to the 'dropzone' to witness the jump.

"I surprised myself, I thought I would be scared but the nerves never appeared," said Joe

"There was no time for any feelings, before I knew it I was boarding the plane, and then we got the green light to jump.

"I had no time to think about what I was doing and I just jumped."

Retired electrician Joe's wife Ena suffered from Alzheimers and he cared for her for seven years until her death two years ago.

"That's why I did it, I could not think of a better cause to raise a big whack of cash for."

Joe originally hoped to raise £10,000, however, he has far exceeded this target and now hopes to raise £15,000.

He has a few more projects planned for the future and would like to do an abseil for his 85th birthday and maybe a solo sky-dive for his 90th.

Joe is a huge motorbike enthusiast and spends his time tinkering with his collection of vintage bikes.

He is also involved with the North Armagh Motorcycle and Car Club.

Joe is still taking donations for his parachute jump. To send a donation make cheques payable to The Alzheimer's Society and send them to Joe McKeown, 18 Deans Road, Bleary, BT66 8TF.