Man in skydive for skin charity

A man with a rare and debilitating skin complaint has completed his first skydive to raise money for charity.

Hon Wong, 26, from Kingstanding in Birmingham, has Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB), which means the slightest friction causes his skin to blister.

He jumped from 12,000ft above Headcorn Parachute Club in Kent on Wednesday and suffered only minor injuries.

He raised more than £1,000 in support of DebRA, the charity which helps sufferers of the incurable condition.

The landing was a bit rough but it didn't do me much damage because the instructor took the brunt of the force Hon Wong

Mr Wong, who works in information technology for the charity, said: "It went really well.

"I got a few blisters where the straps were but I didn't feel it at the time, it only hurt afterwards.

"There wasn't time to be scared, the instructor just lifted me out and then we were plummeting to earth.

"It was so quick I didn't realise how fast I was falling.

"The landing was a bit rough but it didn't do me much damage because the instructor took the brunt of the force, which is what he does for everyone.

"I'm keen to do a different challenge next year."

DebRA provides practical support for people with EB and their families and funds research into treatments.

There are an estimated 5,000 people living with EB in the UK, with about 500,000 worldwide.