AN INTREPID octogenarian will be throwing caution to the wind when he takes on a daredevil skydive next month in memory of his loving wife.

Geoff Matthews, from Bourton Road, in Moreton, lost his 80-year-old wife Jean to cancer and Alzheimer’s last November.

But instead of allowing his grief to get the better of him, Mr Matthews has decided to leap out of a plane to raise as much money as possible for the Alzheimer’s Society.

The 81-year-old said he had no hesitation about signing up to support the charity.

“I am not brave,” he said.

“It is the people who continue to care for their loved ones that are brave.

“I am doing this to honour my wonderful wife Jean and to promote Alzheimer’s Research.”

Mr Matthews had looked after his wife for about 18 months before she passed away.

He said: “We had been married for 53 years before Jean died.

“She was my treasure. After she died I thought what can I do? – I must do something.”

The managing director, who sold fork lift trucks for a living before he retired, has also signed himself up to help teach people to read and help provide local transport for the elderly.

According the Alzheimer’s Society, at present no cure is expected within the next 10 years and the numbers of those affected continues to grow, bringing agony to sufferers and carers.

The charity predicts that there will be at least one million people suffering from Alzheimer’s by 2020, meaning it would be a more common condition than cancer.

Mr Matthews’ tandem skydive is set to take place at Brackley, near Banbury, on Tuesday, September 9.

He is hoping to raise at least £395 for the Alzheimer’s Society.

Anyone who would like to sponsor him can make a donation online by visiting doitfor charity.com/gmatthews.