Less is more - as Ian becomes a high flier

Mr Woodham, a volunteer "Community First Responder" for the Wyre Forest district, felt so fit - and chuffed - after shedding the weight that he vowed to do a fundraising parachute jump.

He has now made the leap of faith from 3,500ft above Tilstock airfield in North Shropshire.

"It was fantastic," said Mr Woodham, 53.

"Once the parachute opens - and your heart is back in your chest, rather than your mouth - it is an eye-opening thing.

"You are just able to fly.

"The weather was brilliant and you could just look around you as far as the eye could see."

Mr Woodham, who works as a service manager, began volunteering for the ambulance service in 2007 and has since responded to more than 1,000 calls.

He and other similar volunteers, trained by West Midlands Ambulance Service, are called upon to arrive first at the scene of medical emergencies while a blue-light emergency vehicle is en route.

"In the event of a cardiac arrest, for every minute lost there is 10 per cent less chance of survival," said Mr Woodham.

"I know that I have helped to save lives."

He also says his voluntary work helped him to become more aware of the health problems of being overweight - inspiring him to join Slimming World.

Mr Woodham, who is 5ft 6in tall, used to weigh 16st 1lb - but, a year later, tips the scales at 12st 9lb and says he feels much better for it.

The father of two was joined in his slimming campaign by his wife, Beverley, 51, who has lost nearly three stone.

Mr Woodham last did a parachute jump about 25 years ago.

"But that was in an old fashioned parachute, like in the war films, but this time was totally different and you are actually flying the parachute," he said.

"I decided to do another jump to celebrate losing weight and to raise money for the Kidderminster Community First Responder scheme."

He hopes his effort will raise around £500 and anyone wanting to sponsor him should visit mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/wyreresponder