AN ex-army parachutist certainly got an exhilarating kick when he enjoyed a Father’s Day treat at Airkix.

Alan Woodward enjoyed an adrenalin rush by freefalling during his recent visit to the Airkix Indoor Skydiving centre, at Basingstoke Leisure Park, 56 years after his last parachute jump in the army.

It brought back memories of his first jump with the army which he relived with his 38-year-old son Simon and seven-year-old grandson, Thomas.

In fact it was the first time Allan shared any of his experiences in the Parachute Field Squadron with his family.

Previously, he barely discussed this period of his life but he revealed all – and let them try it for themselves to a degree at Airkix.

In his youth, Allan Woodward amassed around 25 parachute jumps during his time in the 299 Parachute Field Squadron Royal Engineers.

Describing his first jump at the tender age of 18, Allan recalls with precision the exhilaration he felt.

The 78-year-old from Beggarwood, Basingstoke, said: “It was a damp and cloudy morning and we were separated into groups, stood in drills.

“We were elevated in a balloon cage by a winch up 800ft and attached by a harness and rope carrying containers.

“I was the first in my group to jump which meant that I hadn’t yet seen anyone else jump before me.

“I remember feeling a sense of purpose in the task at hand and wanting to do my best with the training I’d had.

“It was this sense that made me take the step out of the bottom of the balloon and that was it – I felt the rush as I dropped 200ft before the canopy developed.

“My stomach had gone and I didn’t know what had happened.

“Navigating myself to the ground I felt a tremendous sense of adrenaline and pride that I had through my first jump!”