AN UPTON man will strap himself to a plane for charity, after his dad was diagnosed with Parkinson’s.

Gary Potter, 39, will be taking part in the ‘Wing Walk’ on September 17, flying from Compton Abbas Airfield.

Mr Potter will be fastened to the wing of a vintage Boeing Stearman throughout the challenge.

“I feel that Parkinson’s is an under-funded and not well understood condition which affects 1 in 500 people, including my dad,” he said.

“The wing walk sounded perfect.”

Paul Jackson-Clark, director of fundraising at Parkinson’s UK, said: “I would like to say thank you and good luck to Gary for his wing walk, I hope he enjoys the experience.

“A wing walk is a great way to take to the skies in style and raise vital funds at the same time.

“Everyone who takes part will be helping our work to find a cure and improve life for everyone affected by Parkinson's.”

Mr Potter will cut out bread and beer from his diet to get under the 12 stone weight limit.

An online donation page has already raised £960 for Parkinson’s UK, with Mr Potter hoping to reach his £1,500 target.

Parkinson’s is a neurological disease and has affected 127,000 people in the UK, including Mr Potter’s 71-year-old father Graham.

Anyone under six feet, less than 12 stone and over 18 can reach for the skies with Wing Walk Dorset.

Registration costs £100 and the charity asks participants to raise £750 in sponsorship.

An online sponsorship page for Mr Potter’s wing walk is available here.