Dave getting ready for the big dive

Popular local businessman Dave Clancy is psyching himself up to jumping from an airplane next week, to help fundraise for a Kerry animal charity, AHAR Ireland (Animal Heaven Animal Rescue), writes Brian Byrne.

He'll be in very high-flying company, with the likes of Sharon Shannon, Frances Black, Maura Derrane, Honor Heffernan and a bunch of as yet un-named other men and women celebrities.

The jump is being held, weather permitting, on September 7. Participants have to raise a minimum of €480 each in sponsorship, half of which will to Skydive Ireland for their management of the dive (Skydive is giving a cut-price deal to the charity). So anything over and above will also to to AHAR.

"I'll be jumping from 10,000 feet and I haven't done anything like this before, so any tips are welcome," says Dave, who operates a florist and floral artistry business on Main Street. "I am trying not to think about it ... but big thanks for the support from everyone. I am asking you all to dig deep and donate, even if it is only a fiver."