NOT content with pulling on his slippers and taking it easy, sports-mad Dennis “Dickie” Bird will be spending his 70th birthday plunging from a plane.

Dickie has been passionate about football and cricket since he can remember and is still the welfare officer for Alresford Colne Rangers FC.

On August 30, three days after he turns 70, the grandad-of-five will do a tandem skydive in aid of Christians in Sport.

Dickie, who grew up in Brightlingsea, said: “Most of us have got a bucket list and I thought I should do something different, rather than just a family party and something an organisation or charity can take advantage of.

“As most people say, I amquite fit and I have always been involved in sport.

“While I am still able to do these type of things, I just wanted to do something about it.”

Dickie has been a regional volunteer for Christians in Sport since 1995.

It holds sports summer camps for teenagers in the school holidays.

Come skydive day, the plane will take off from Beccles airfield, Suffolk, rising to 10,000ft before Dickie falls into the sky.

Dickie, who now lives in Wivenhoe, will be watched by wife of almost 45 years Dawn, his two sons, Simon and Matthew, and his grandchildren.

His teenage years were spent on the town’s sports pitches in one way or another, having played for Brightlingsea and Rowhedge football clubs and the town’s cricket club.

Many of his Saturdays are still spent at Alresford, due to the role he takes on there, supporting its two youth teams, women’s side and both men’s teams.

Fortunately, his wife is understanding of his commitments.

He said: “My wife has been on the touchline since she was a two-year-old because her family are into football.

“Since I retired five years ago, I have always thought you should have exercise and get out of bed in the morning, it is important to keep your legs going.

“I often go first thing in the morning for what I call my ‘constitutional walk’ and get my paper from the shop, and keep active.

“And, I have been blessed with a good wife who can cook.”

To sponsor Mr Bird, go to sponsorme.co.uk/dickiebird/sky-diving-event