by Dan Bloom

For Dickie Dutton, it began with a trip to buy a clock - and ended with him jumping out of a plane.

The 76-year-old grandfather was awestruck by the historic St James Church in Cooling, when he passed it on a bike ride.

So he decided to help the 13th century building, which was the inspiration for Dickens' Great Expectations and where musician and TV presenter Jools Holland got married.

The retired soldier took a leap of faith above Headcorn Aerodrome - and raised close to a staggering £6,000.

Mr Dutton said: "I thought a 76-year-old doing a skydive might make my friends cough up.

"I wouldn't want to jump off my kitchen table in my dining room, but I was comfortable. The team was completely professional."

He presented a cheque on Friday at the church to the Churches Conservation Trust. The former corporate head-hunter, from Fulham, London, visited Tonbridge last year to buy an antique clock but was told it was not ready.

He said: "I had heard there were pink-footed geese on the Medway so I took to the Gravesend Road. There was snow on the ground and it was very calm.

"I had heard about the poetry of silence and I truly felt it when I saw the Cooling church. I was considerably moved by the experience.

"When I returned to London I realised it was the scene for the first chapter of Great Expectations, where Magwitch approaches young Pip, and I was inspired further. I'm happy I could help and I hope this will inspire other people."

Mr Dutton has also planted a rare black mulberry tree at the church.

The Churches Conservation Trust plans to use the cash to create an exhibition on Dickens for the author's bicentenary next year.

South East development manager John Vigar said: "We have had 20 per cent funding cuts and we spend most of our money keeping on roofs. Dickie's efforts have made this exhibition happen.

"We were amazed he came to us. It's not often you get a 76-year-old man jumping out of a plane."

Have you done a skydive? Are you older than Dickie Dutton?