A DEVOTED husband will lash the urn containing his late wife’s ashes to his chest before leaping from a plane for charity next month.

Jack Hake, 93, and late wife Veronica – known to all as Smudge – planned the skydive ahead of her death at the age of 95 in August.

And on November 10, Jack, a founding member of the Stanpit and Mudeford Residents’ Association, will plunge more than 10,000 feet to raise funds for two good causes in Wimborne.

He said: “I am forever indebted to the Quarter Jack Surgery and the community nursing team based there.

“Dr Tan and his team have been just wonderful and I would love to raise some money to help fund equipment there.”

Smudge suffered with neuropathy, a form of nerve damage, for around 17 years before she died. She was often confined to a wheelchair as a result of her illness.

The couple celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary in 2009, and Jack, who now lives in Wimborne, said they were rarely apart.

“We spent our lives together,” he said.

“And what a wonderful life it has been. In her last week, when we knew what would happen, I said, ‘We’ll do this skydive, you and I together’. I plan to make that happen.”

Jack, who has undergone surgery for a triple bypass, said he has no fear of the jump.

“It’s nothing to be worried about at all,” he said.

“I’ve got to come down one way or another, and I’m not at all afraid. My wife and I have been together since the day we were married, and we’ve always done everything together, so she’ll be right there with me.”

To donate to Jack’s skydive, visit bmycharity.com/jacksjumpingpage.