A TEENAGER from Poole is preparing to jump out of a plane in fundraising efforts for an autism charity.

Jacob Bradley, 16, will be skydiving from 15,000ft in aid of Dogs For Autism, a charity providing service dogs to autistic people across the UK.

The teen, who has who has ASD (autism spectrum disorder), has been fundraising ahead of the jump on October 23. He said: “I’m looking forward to it. I’m quite excited. My family think I’m brave and crazy.

“I’m an adrenaline seeker, and I’ve always wanted to do a skydive, so I thought it would be a good opportunity for charity.”

Jacob has already raised hundreds for the charity jump, through sponsorships by family and friends, and support from his families’ local pub- The Barking Cat.

The pub has been collecting donations from their customers, and in less than five weeks have gathered around £150 in coins.

Jacob’s dad, Mike Bradley, said: “They’ve been more than helpful, and they’ve been really supportive.”

The Barking Cat has also donated vouchers for a fundraising raffle, which Jacob is preparing to run at the end of September.

He has managed to get a number of other exciting prizes for the raffle including a spa day for two at the Eforea in the Hilton, a tour of the Bombay Sapphire distillery, tickets to the Upside Down House, Centre VR tickets, and a meal for two at Brasserie Blanc.

All money raised will be donated to Dogs For Autism, a charity picked by Jacob after seeing the positive impact a dog had on his own autism.

Mike said: “Jacob has ASD, I have the same diagnosis, and we’re both dog lovers, so it was a no brainer to pick that charity.”

Mike added that he was “immensely proud” of his sons’ achievements and is in awe of his son’s confidence to take the jump.

He said: “He wants to be a pilot one day, but also expressed a real desire to do a parachute jump, which has scared his mother senseless.”

To support Jacob in his fundraising efforts, visit https://dogsforautism.enthuse.com/pf/jacob-bradley-bc08e?fbclid=IwAR2GpemrKvR0yhcLpehSEe463erfy_plEoDMkydP8M5DfsNmpy3RwZKOclg