A young cancer survivor with nerves of steel doubled his fundraising target by taking part in a 13,000 feet skydive.

Sam Benson, of Vicarage Meadow in Halstead, was just 18 when he was diagnosed with a secreting germ cell tumour on the pineal part of his brain in 2013.

After enduring seven months of treatment the supermarket worker decided to raise money to help other teens suffering from cancer.

Despite taking part in the tandem jump after just one hour of instruction Mr Benson said he had no nerves.

The 21-year-old said: “I loved it. We went up to about 13,000 feet, it felt great.

“All you could see were clouds, when I jumped it was like going through fog but then you started seeing the ground. It was really cool.”

Mr Benson decided he wanted to raise £350 for cancer charity Teens Unite but the total soared to more than £800 before the jump.

Mr Benson said future efforts could raise money for Macmillan, Teenage Cancer Trust and Clic Sargent.

To donate visit justgiving.co.uk/samuelbenson.