Daredevil Paul in blind leap of faith; CHALLENGE: College manager jumps out of plane at 13,000ft to raise cash.

Byline: By Poppy Brady

A BLIND man's leap of faith in a sponsored skydive has helped to raise more than pounds 7,000 for a Birmingham college.

Designated daredevil Paul Hopkins, a manager at Queen Alexandra College in Harborne, raised the cash by jumping out of a plane at 13,000ft in a tandem skydive.

The college, a registered charity, held the event to raise money for specialist computer equipment and other resources for students who are blind, partially sighted or have other disabilities.

Paul, who made the jump at Hinton Airfield in Oxfordshire, said: "I'd like to thank everyone who sponsored me and I'm really pleased with the amount of money that's been raised so far.

"The students will be so pleased as the money means they can now increase their learning experience at the college by having new equipment that will help them to learn more effectively.

"Those who sponsored me will also be helping our students by funding educational trips that will help to build up their confidence and give them new skills.

"Confidence is so important for our students, as I know only too well, as before coming to the college there was a period of time where I struggled, but by the end of my time at QAC I'd found a new confidence in myself.

"The skydive was a real triumph as a personal challenge it was absolutely amazing and totally exhilarating.

I've got the bug now and my next challenge is to do a tandem hang glide."

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TRIUMPH...Paul Hopkins (also pictured left) leaps out on his tandem skydive.