A YOUNG rugby player conquered his lifelong fear of heights by jumping out of a plane at 13,000ft.

Ricky Coe from Royal Wootton Bassett plays for the town’s under-16s rugby club and tackled his fear to raise money for new kit and equipment. He even brought the club’s toy Bassett hound mascot along with him.

The 16-year-old said: “I'd feel nauseous just looking up at tall buildings, I was afraid of falling, so I got a lot of teasing and banter from my friends before the skydive, but when I stepped onto the plane, I calmed down and suddenly my fears went away, it was weird, I really surprised myself.

"I thought I'd stop anyone pushing me out but in the end I jumped. Seeing my friends there with me was very calming, it was nice to know that we were doing it together, it was brilliant, I was ecstatic and I'd be happy to do it again."

His dad Dennis said: “We’re really proud of him. He was terrified during the build-up to it in the morning and I thought they’d struggle to get him out of the plan but he talked himself into it, he focused and,told himself it would be great, and he was first out.

“It was like a switch flipped, he was buzzing when he landed, he absolutely loved it."

Ricky’s rugby mates Jason Eatough and Dylan Higginson joined him on the skydive with his older sister Emmie while other teammates Jude Lynch, Louis Titcombe, Harris O’Donnell, and Jamie Murray watched from the ground with Bassett's Mayor Michael Farrow. Jason’s dad Tom came up with the idea of doing the daredevil fundraising feat.

Tom said: “I wanted to do something a bit out of the ordinary, the lads wanted to do something exciting, a personal challenge, and I joined in to show them that it’s not scary, it’s really enjoyable.

"If they were nervous, they didn't show it, they looked happy. Jason’s mum Claire was more anxious than any of us, she was getting butterflies on their behalf, but it was a real thrill. They won their match the next day, I think they were still full of adrenaline from the skydive.Next up is a bungee jump and everyone’s keen to do it - we might get more people involved this time, too.”

Together, Ricky and Emmie raised £1,400 and combined with their friends’ efforts, the total exceeded £2,000 - more than double the original target.

The money will pay for their upcoming rugby tour in Dublin, new kit, maintaining and buying new equipment, and covering costs in case one of the players can’t afford a place on the tour coach or an expensive piece of kit.

Ricky added: "Having such great friends and family to help us raise this money is amazing, I can't thank them enough."

Visit justgiving.com/crowdfunding/emmie-ricky-1