AN INTREPID fundraiser will fall thousands of feet from an aeroplane to raise money for a sight loss charity.

Five years ago Nathan Dunbar was diagnosed with a condition which would cause his eyesight to deteriorate but, since then, he has taken on a string of daring challenges for charity.

During a routine check-up, the 17-year-old was told he had keratoconus in both of his eyes.

This condition affects the cornea, the clear round-shaped front surface of the eye, causing it to become progressively thinner and weaker over time.

This can cause blurred and distorted vision over time as it prevents the light that enters their eye from being correctly focused, but its cause is unknown.

After hearing the news, Nathan looked for ways in which he could help and found eye research charity Fight for Sight.

Since then, he has worked tirelessly to help the charity continue its work in looking for ways to prevent eye conditions such as keratoconus.

The Polegate teenager said: “I think it is very important to raise money for research into such an uncertain eye condition that affects so many people – the majority of whom are under the age of 20.

“I hope that, by helping to fund research, a new treatment for keratoconus will be found.”

In August 2017, Nathan made a dramatic 80-metre descent from the Arcelormittal Orbit, the tower in the heart of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London.

Now he plans to take his fundraising exploits to the skies.

In July Nathan will be dropping 430ft from the Viewing Tower of the British Airways i360 in Brighton, while in August, he will skydive 15,000ft over the Salisbury Plain.

Nathan said: “I raise money for eye research because I think it’s so important to give back.

“I also want to encourage more young people to get involved in their communities. It’s our future we’re helping.”

Fight for Sight is currently funding Dr Mouhamed Al-Aqaba and his team of researchers at Nottingham University who are using biological markers to investigate the underlying nerve structures in keratoconus.

They are also looking into new treatments.