KEIGHLEY News journalist Russell Yeo has taken up a challenge to go bungee jumping - without a rope.

The 22-year-old daredevil will freefall 150 feet from a cage on top of a crane to raise cash for kidney research.

Trainee reporter Russell is appealing to readers to sponsor him in his "scad dive" into a massive net on April 2. And he wants other local people to join him in the leap in aid of the National Kidney Research Fund.

Scad, which stands for suspended catch air device, is described as the "next generation" of bungee jumping.

It was featured recently on the TV programme Don't Try This At Home and until now has rarely been carried out in the UK.

Russell has done two bungee jumps in Cyprus and has a long-held ambition to go parachute jumping.

He says: "I'm looking forward to the scad dive but the thought of bungee jumping without a rope seems a bit scary."

The charity has arranged for the equipment to be set up at Arlington Business Centre, near the White Rose shopping centre, in Leeds.

Participants are being asked to raise a minimum of £100 in sponsorship to take part, with proceeds helping relieve suffering and promote effective treatment.

Around 7,000 people die from renal failure in the UK each year and one in five people are born with malformed kidneys.

Anyone interested in sponsoring Russell should phone him on 01535 606611, extension 245.

And those who want to join the jump should phone the Scad Dive Hotline on 01706 839174.

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