At the age of 83, many Islanders may be slowly winding down, enjoying the relaxed nature of retirement – but for Robin Mallet, he is gearing up to take on the challenge of a lifetime.

The 83-year-old Islander is preparing to jump out of a plane to raise money for children with life-limiting conditions.

Robin Mallet will take to the skies in a charity skydive on 19 September in support of Life Lites, which provides specialist technology and sensory experiences for young people across the UK and Channel Islands.

For Mr Mallet, this will not be his first plunge over Jersey.

“I am really looking forward to it. I loved it when I did it last time for my own charity, and I am glad to be doing it again as my own contribution to Life Lites,” he said.

“It is just a wonderful feeling when you just leap out of a plane, and to do that for something very dear to my heart and many other people’s, is really incredible.”

Life Lites aims to bring joy and independence to families facing extraordinary challenges, with its technology helping children to communicate, create and play.

Mr Mallet said: “I’ve always believed that life is for living. If I can help children experience joy and connection through Life Lites’s work, then jumping out of a plane seems like a small price to pay.”

Mr Mallet and his wife Carol have also spent the past 25 years running their own charity, Jersey Gambia Schools Trust, building schools and providing education to hundreds of children in Gambia.

His family said: “Dad has always been one of the most selfless people we know. He and his wife Carol have spent so many years supporting charities and helping others, never looking for recognition or anything in return.

“His courage, energy and genuine empathy for people are an inspiration to all of us, and the fact that, at 83, he is willing to throw himself out of an aeroplane to raise money for charity probably says everything you need to know about the kind of man he is.”

A JustGiving page has been set up with an initial fundraising target of £2,000, although Mr Mallet hopes to far exceed that amount.