VIDEO: Birdman picture gallery

Giant ‘parrots’, ‘pigs’ and ‘superheroes’ took to the 35-foot platform at the end of Worthing Pier, launching themselves off for their favourite causes.

And their nerves were visibly jangling as they prepared to jump.

Orthopaedic surgeon Andrew Jarvis, 66, of Elverlands Close, Ferring, who designed a 30-foot aluminium craft, registered just 1.5-metres.

He said: “The weather was lovely at 9am this morning, but it got stronger as it got closer to the jump.

“I was very worried, as there is no directional control on the craft, and I was just hoping I wouldn’t break anything.”

Worthing Zumba instructor Becky Daley and Alex Childs provided a touching moment, as they jumped with bunches of helium balloons, adorned with the names of fundraisers’ loved ones who had suffered from cancer.

They were jumping for World Cancer Research Fund UK, and raised more than £1,000.

Becky, 33, said: “We came up with the idea of putting a name of a loved one on the balloon, and releasing them into the sky just before we jumped.

“My cousin died of cancer and I wanted to do something in memory of her.”

Members of Worthing Rowing Club, who will attempt to row the Atlantic in world-record time in December, also took the plunge to publicise their cause.

Neal Marsh, a member of team Atlantic Splash, said: “It was great fun, and a good way of getting our message out there. Preparations are going well, and we are getting more and more support.”

For the full story, see the Worthing Herald, out Thursday, August 15.