We did it!  We couldn't jump on the 20th March as it was absolutely pouring down and apparently the rain would have taken our skin off (ouch).  We were back the next morning and out on the first plane at 9am.  Words can't describe the feeling of hurtling out of a plane at 13,000ft and once I could start breathing again (and the all important chute was opened), I actually really started to enjoy the experience.

A huge "thank you" to everybody who sponsored us.  Brain Tumour UK advised us that a total of £14,000 was raised on the day by all the participants and that amount will really make a difference. 

Carmen x

Carmen's Story

My story starts in 2005, whilst pregnant with my first child I suddenly lost vision in my right eye.  To cut a long story short, I was diagnosed with a brain tumour (meningioma) that had rudely grown behind my right eye whilst I grew my baby!  It was a shock initially, my experience with brain tumours had taken away close family members and I also remembered that whenever a soapstar or character in a film was diagnosed with a brain tumour, the ending was always nigh for them.

Over the years (and numerous operations) I've learned to live with this condition, still blind in one eye and the tumour keeps edging towards my good eye but I know that I am lucky to be here.  Some brain tumours are more aggressive and I have met and talked to many that have not been as fortunate as myself.  Sometimes, it's only when you are faced with your own mortality that you start to appreciate life even more and really want to make a difference whenever you are able to.

I've recently completed 6 weeks of radiotherapy at Christies in Manchester (that pesky tumour growing back again) and during my time off work, decided that I wanted to try and raise some much needed funds for others that may be going through something similar or know of a loved one.

Brain Tumour UK offers valuable support to patients, family and friends, strives to fund new research and raise awareness of this condition.  There is always somebody at the end of the phone to offer advice or to listen, when needed and for many, they are a lifeline.

On 20th March 2010 down at Brackley Airfield near Oxford, I intend to carry out a 10,000ft tandem skydive with my brave friend and work colleague, Jonny Smith (not strapped to each other, worry not).  Jonny, kindly "volunteered" to do this jump with me and although we are both terrified of the prospect of jumping out of a moving plane, high in the sky, we're both quite excited too.  Please dig deep to help us raise as much as possible for this worthy charity and spare a thought for us shivering in our shoes on that fateful day in March.

Thank you

Carmen

I am really looking forward to doing this jump, especially because it is for such a good cause. I've wanted to do a skydive for a while now and so when the fateful email came from Carmen asking if I were still up for it, after we had talked about it many months ago, i jumped at the chance!

Before I knew it I had signed up to the jump, paid the deposit and had my photo taken for the Telegraph! Crazy times!

All I ask is that you help us raise as much as we can for such a good cause!

Wish me luck!

Jonny

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now.