Parachuting
Firstly, hello to everyone. I am new to this forum, but thought I would respond to this post as I will never forget my parachute jump.
I work for a local branch in Cheshire and in 2003 came up with the bright idea of organising a parachute jump. I have a real fear of heights, but thought attempting a jump may help, as they say the best way to conqueur a fear is to face it head on, don't they?
I announced my idea at a regional meeting, as I thought it would be a great way of many of us getting together, as well as a good fundraiser and awareness raising exercise. I had every intention of the jump being a 'guided by an expert' jump i.e. tandem skydive....my boyfriend however, who had agreed to jump on behalf of his local branch (he lives in Surrey) had other ideas, and said "he was not going to leave his fate in the hands of another person!".
So the four of us followed his lead and train of thought, and I booked the RAPS course for us all. Yes, all by ourselves, from a static line! (Well at least the parachute opened by itself!)
It was very easy to organise. I enquired with a local airfield/parachuting enthusiast club (which I picked up details of from a simple internet search). I then approached local companies on behalf of the branch, whom where so supportive..... their donations paid for my jump easily, which back in 2003 was, if I remember right £195 per person. All other sponsorship raised through other means then went directly to my branch. We all adopted this principle applying to local large companies in the same way.
It was a day I will never forget. It was intensive training, six hours before we got to jump and I will remember forever, the feeling in the pit of my stomach, as we all walked to the little Cessna plane (which sounded like a lawn mower), all kitted up in our helmets; parachutes on backs and silly overalls (which were huge!).
I have to admit I felt sick. The door on the plane was open all through the climb to 15,000 feet. The heaviest exited first (my boyfriend, who had been constantly 'nattering' incessantly, almost as if he was simply on a trip to the shops, and I wanted my mum!!!! LOL. I was third.... On more than one occasion I said to my instructor "I can't do this", but he simply replied "Come on you know the drill, position yourself" (we had to sit with our feet dangling out of the side of the plane). He then tapped me on the shoulder, and I responded like one of Pavlov's dogs and exited shouting "One thousand, Two Thousand", as had been drilled in to me for over six hours...........
But I did it, we all did! Collectively, I think we raised over £5000! So, to any 'would be' jumpers, GO FOR IT! Beats any theme park ride! LOL