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Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page, I've now updated it with a write up of my day and a link to some photos. My friends and relatives all know how important the air ambulance was to us as a family late last year when my dad suffered a heart attack and needed airlifting to Leeds hospital. I feel as though I would like to give something back and have arranged one days Paragliding lesson. Learning to fly seemed a fitting activity to raise funds for the North West Air Ambulance. All monies raised will be going to the Charity as I have paid for the day myself. This activity is very much weather dependant so the date may change however initially I am booked in for Saturday 31st March 2012. So please hlep me to raise lots of money for this very worthy cause. UPDATE Please can I firstly say a huge thank you to all who sponsored me and supported me in this. My sponsor money has now gone over £700.00 for the NW Air Ambulance. Well it was a crazy day. Arrived in Kirkby Stephen at 9.15 a bit early but the weather appeared gorgeous. By the time we had sorted out kit and watched a presentation though things had changed quite a bit. The first place we went to was deemed too unsafe for us to get the gear out. The wind was far too strong. We were given the option to either book for another day or we could go cross country to somewhere not too far from Bainbridge to see if the wind was any better. We opted for the drive. They had mentioned that there was a 30 min walk to the site what they hadn’t mentioned was it was up a flipping great hill, the equipment is incredibly heavy. Upon reaching the top of the hill they asked us to wait while they went an assessed if things were going to be ok. We got a thumbs up and headed right down to the bottom of the hill at the other side. We had to learn how to set up the equipment and do various safety checks before doing anything else. Next we moved on to simulated take off and landings without actually leaving the ground. This is much harder than it sounds, you lift the wing into the wind and then you have to try and run like blazes against the wind. As the wind was a little unpredictable yesterday you inevitably ended up not going in a straight line most of the time. The ground was also exceptionally uneven due to it being moorland, lots of holes and tufts of needle sharp grass with the odd rock thrown in for good measure just to try and trip you up. Then you had to flare (brake) the wing to get it down on the ground whilst twisting around to try and face it. This had an added problem that if you didn't do it right you stood the chance of being pulled off your feet and dragged along the ground for hopefully just a short distance. It was important if this happened that you kept your mouth shut as otherwise you were likely to end up with a mouthfull of sheep muck of which there was plenty scattered around. Once you had done a few of these in the way you were supposed to do them we were allowed to try our first proper short flight from higher up the hill. This unfortunately for me turned out to be my one and only flight as by this time in the afternoon my back was doing some serious complaining and I knew I still had to carry the equipment back up the hillside and down the other side to the cars. Walking around with the harness still on carrying the wing puts your body in a rather awkward position which is what I think did it for me. They did tell us that the first few days of training are extremely physical and hard work. I was however, rather pleased with my effort and I took off well and landed almost perfectly on my feet and brought the wing down facing it. I finally got home at 8.30pm. Anyway a few photos of my flight and landing can hopefully be seen here: <a href="http://photobucket.com/paragliding2012">http://photobucket.com/paragliding2012</a> For a couple of days after I was very sore and struggling to move, drying my hair was a task in itself. I think it has to have been one of the best work outs I’ve ever had. They’ve said they will hold on to our flight record for up to 6 years so we’ll just have to see if I try again. Thanks again. Andrea

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