A YOUNG soldier helped to inspire brave skydivers who have been raising money for a military charity.Martin Nichols and Kelly Symonds, who work together at Serco in Norwich, took part in sponsored skydives to raise money for the Help for Heroes charity.

A YOUNG soldier helped to inspire brave skydivers who have been raising money for a military charity.

Martin Nichols and Kelly Symonds, who work together at Serco in Norwich, took part in sponsored skydives to raise money for the Help for Heroes charity.

They were inspired by Mr Nichols' brother Steven Nichols, who has recently returned from a tour of duty in Afghanistan with the 1st Battalion of the Royal Anglian Regiment.

Mr Nichols, 25, of Lenwade, said his younger brother's time in Afghanistan had made him want to do a parachute jump to raise money for the charity, which helps wounded soldiers.

After jumping from 14,000 feet above the Beccles skydiving centre on Saturday, he said: “It was amazing, I want to go up again. When I first looked out of the plane I though “Oh my God” but then suddenly it was too late and we were on our way.

“I've raised about �1,000 for charity so it was well worth it.”

L/Cpl Nichols, 23, watched his brother's brave fundraising attempt. “I'm very impressed. I've never done it but I'm thinking of doing it through army adventure training, so maybe next time we can go together,” he said.

Also skydiving for Help for Heroes on Saturday was 46-year-old Linda Lyon, from Taverham, who has raised about �400.

She said: “I've got a friend whose son is in the army, and I've got a son the same age as him which always makes me think about how brave those men and women are. It's such a worthwhile cause.”

Pictured, Martin Nichols celebrates a successful parachute jump for Help For Heroes, on the shoulders of his brother, Royal Anglian Steven Nichols, 23. With them are Linda Lyon, 46, and Kelly Symonds, 23, who also jumped for Help For Heroes.