THE FUND to replace the Boro Wheelies' minibus and help troops injured in Iraq and Afghanistan will benefit from a sponsored parachute today (Saturday).

Twe12th Man supporters' group treasurer and Parachute Regimental Association member Dave Dyson is leading a group of disabled and able-bodied jumpers on May 10 at Peterlee Airfield.

Cash raised is being split between the Middlesbrough Disabled Supporters Association fund and Help For Heroes.

The minibus has taken some of Boro's most dedicated fans to grounds all over Britain and abroad, including the club's first ever UEFA Cup trip, to Ostrava deep in the Czech Republic.

But it's now coming to the end of its life and efforts are well underway to raise £50,000 for a replacement.

The party includes Kirsty Hodgson, Peter Thomas, Robert Atkinson and MDSA chair Paddy Cronesberry's daughters Kerry and Shannon, as well as 58-year-old Colin Davies, who drives the Wheelies' bus.

Some are doing a tandem jump from 10,000 feet while others are doing a static line jump from 3,500 feet.

Dave initially planned to donate half of the money raised to the Teesside branch of the Parachute Regimental Association but the group decided to give their share of the appeal proceeds to build facilities, including a new swimming pool, at Headley Court Rehabilitation Centre in Surrey.

For full details of how to sponsor Dave and the team, email contactus@twe12thman.co.uk.

For more information about the Headley Court appeal see http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk