CALL him mad if you like, he won't argue, call him stark staring bonkers and he'll just shrug his shoulders and smile.

Andy Baker is preparing to fly to Colorado in the USA where, on September 26, he will walk out onto the Royal Gorge Bridge 1,053 feet above the Arkansas River and jump.

He'll be in free fall at speeds up to 90mph most of the way down and his only chance of survival is that the bungee rope he's attached to doesn't break.

But he's willing to take that risk to raise money for the Rabbit Welfare Fund who do wonderful work promoting the welfare of the domesticated rabbit in the UK and also the Colorado House Rabbit Society who perform similar work in the US.

Andy shares his home in Castle Hill, Totternhoe, with wife Helen and an assortment of rescued bunnies and guinea pigs and anyone who knows him is well aware of his passion for animal rights, especially rabbits.

"I believe it's unacceptable to allow any animal to suffer or feel pain, especially through neglect, abuse or ignorance," he said.

"I believe in direct but peaceful campaigning against all forms of animal abuse and cruelty, speaking out for the suffering millions who have no voice of their own.

"Much of my activity focuses on helping to improve the welfare of the domesticated rabbit in the UK.

"Tens of thousands of pet rabbits live their entire lives silently suffering in pain and fear due to the ignorance, neglect and abuse of their owners.

"Sadly many of these rabbits suffer an agonising, lingering and horrifying death through starvation, dehydration, infection, disease or heat exhaustion.

"Please help me help them by visiting my sponsorship page and donating a few quid to this very worthy cause.

"I'm at pains to point out that not a single penny raised in sponsorship is used to fund the jump."

To find out more about Andy and the Rabbit Welfare Fund, log onto www.bungybunny.com or www.ahutchisnotenough.com.

He can be sponsored on www.justgiving.com/bungybunny