Daredevil Dan falls for sweetheart Emma and cures fear of heights

The romantic stock assistant cured his fear of heights with a tandem charity parachute jump – then proposed to his girlfriend on landing.

Dan, aged 25, who lives with 23-year-old girlfriend Emma Brewer in Low Hill, Wolverhampton had not even been in a plane before he took to the skies over Tilstock Airfield in Shropshire.

He explained: "I had always been terrified of heights and far too scared to fly. The highest I had been before was visiting people in a tower block flat – and I did not dare to look out of the window. But it was all in a good cause and I was determined to conquer the fear.

"I was also anxious about Emma's response if I proposed and so decided to make it the most traumatic day possible by popping the question to her at the same time. We have been together for 19 months and it took around four months to plan this.

"The crew all knew what I intended to do and had let Emma into the landing area on the pretext that they felt sorry for her because she has pins and a rod in her back. The most nerve wracking moment of the jump was when they opened the doors – but the freefall was amazing and the scenery was fabulous. I can't wait to do it again, but this time from 15,000 feet. It's definitely conquered my fear of heights.

"When we landed they had to unclip me and the guy who had brought Emma out to the field gave me a sneaky handshake to pass the engagement ring he had been keeping safe for me during the jump.

"I gave Emma a hug and then got down on one knee to propose. She had no idea what I had been planning and was crying so much she didn't actually say 'yes', but she did nod, so I shouted to the others 'it's a yes.' I felt great. First I got to parachute and now I get to marry the girl I love."

Nursery nurse Emma said: "I was taken completely by surprise and was so overcome I could not speak. It was the happiest moment of my life."

The couple are planning to get their own house before finalising the wedding plans but one thing is certain. Dan will have no fear flying overseas for the honeymoon.

His leap into the unknown raised money for the Cannock-based Newlife Foundation for Disabled Children. He works for the trading company that supports the charity and a dozen other people took part in the sponsored jump that is expected to collectively raise over £5,000.

Nora Smith, Newlife fundraising manager, said: "Dan and Emma are a lovely couple and we wish them all the best. Everyone who took part showed amazing courage and really challenged themselves. They did fantastically well and the money raised will make a huge difference to the lives of disabled and terminally ill children who will receive equipment as a result."

If you would like information on any aspect of fundraising for Newlife or about future parachute jumps to raise money for the charity, visit www.newlifecharity.co.uk or contact the Community Fundraising Team on 0800 988 4640.