Raised: 192%
Target: £600.00
Raised so far: £1,150.00
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My story

 

WOW!  What an incredible day!

Sunshine, clear blue skies, hardly any wind... Perfect jump weather. 

Admit starting to feel nervous when the first person disappeared from the plane, but I was second in line, so had no time to panic... until it was too late and I realised I was hurtling towards Earth head first at 125+mph.  What a feeling!  But it was over too quickly as the parachute was deployed and (more slowly!) we descended the last 5000' back down to the airfield, with plenty of time to chat and admire the incredible views over the Cambridgeshire and Norfolk countryside.

Soooo glad to have done it - and to have survived the experience!!  And even more delighted to have raised so much to help dementia patients and nursing staff at the Lister and QE2 Hospitals in the process. 

Huge thanks to Suzanne at Enhance Herts for all her organisational efforts, and to the other people jumping for the charity on the day too.  Their support and encouragement made all the difference!  Thanks also to my skydive partner, Craig, for keeping me safe!!

But the biggest thanks of all goes to all who have sponsored me so generously for giving me the motivation I needed and the courage I lacked!!  THANK YOU! 

Jo x

 

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I MUST BE MAD!

Well, no, actually I'm not - well not yet anyway!  And I'm not an adrenalin junkie either.  A skydive is just something that's always been on my "Bucket List" of Things to Do Before I Turn 40.  But then I realised I'm not as young as I used to be and am running out of time... 40th birthday is looming next year... so better get cracking... And, rather fortuitously, the opportunity arose to fulfil the dream whilst also supporting the wonderful work of Enhance Herts: win-win!

Jump Day is 12 September, when I'll be leaping from a plane at 12,000' (hopefully whilst strapped to someone who knows what they're doing)...  The nearer it gets, the more nervous I feel, so I'm asking for your help (in the form of sponsorship) to give me the courage to leave the plane!

My grandmother, her sister and my great-grandmother all suffered from dementia/Alzheimer's Disease and, given that jumping out of a fully-functioning plane is perhaps a rather madcap thing to to do, it seemed fitting that any money raised from my skydiving efforts should go to support people afflicted with these conditions and the staff who care for them.

All the money I raise will go specifically to the relevant wards at the Lister and QEII Hospitals.  They rarely get extra funding or financial support, so every penny will be gratefully received and be put to good use.

Dementia / Alzheimer's won't kill you, but treatment is limited and there's no cure.  Those suffering from these conditions may live for years, often feeling frightened and confused, and usually needing long-term nursing assistance and/or supervision.
 
I visited the Lister recently and the majority of their dementia patients are elderly.  Nursing staff are busy, so patients are often left with little or no entertainment for much of the time when they're not with visiting friends/family.  At the hospitals' request, the money raised by the skydive will buy personal radios and portable DVD players with headphones so patients can listen to their choice of music or watch a programme or film without disturbing others.  The hospitals are also hoping to buy some surrogate "pets" (cuddly toy cats and dogs) for the patients to stroke, love and "look after".  All these items should help stimulate and occupy patients, and improve their quality of life by bringing them a little happiness, reassurance and comfort.
 
The hospitals cannot fund these items from their own budgets.  They are being purchased entirely with whatever I raise from my skydive, so every penny counts!

Should you wish to sponsor me for the skydive and support this very worthy cause, the easiest way to do so is via this Justgiving website.  Its quick, easy and totally secure, and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are automatically added to your donation, making it even more valuable to Enhance Herts, the hospitals and their patients.

I'll let you know how I get on after the jump, but thank you in advance for your kindness and encouragement which is much appreciated.

Jo x

well well done Jo, You have made us proud. Second time lucky for us. Please confirm. Love weesiexxxx Donation by Louise Michaelis 16/10/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Just to round it up! Donation by Me! 13/10/09  

£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid

Amazing! Well done. x Donation by Pa and Jo 05/10/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Well done Jo I am so proud of you and always in a good cause. Love Francesca. The boys send their love too!!!! Donation by Francesca Castronovo 04/10/09  

£10.00

We are enormously impressed ! Well done! x Donation by Sue P and family 28/09/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Great achievement Jo! Donation by Laurence Hanley 24/09/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Wow - what a stunning effort! Congratulations and FFE Donation by Richard & Diana Allan 24/09/09  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

Well done Jo! Donation by Gail 24/09/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Bravo!!! Donation by Estelle 23/09/09  

£15.00 + £4.23 Gift Aid

Some spare change for a good cause! Donation by Anon 23/09/09  

£6.00 + £1.69 Gift Aid

Well done you!!!!! Donation by Anna M 23/09/09  

£15.00 + £4.23 Gift Aid

Well Done Jo!!! Have one on me!! Donation by Kathryn Constantine 14/09/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Well done! Donation by Clare Hatcher 14/09/09  

£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid

Well done Jo! Donation by Rebecca Hubert Scherler 14/09/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Well done Jo!! Donation by Oliver Tebbit 14/09/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Well done Jo. You put me a shame. Keep doing the good work Donation by Ian Worman 13/09/09  

£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid

Hi sorry this is so late, but better late than never! Best of luck, hope it all goes well! X Donation by Alexandra Nash 11/09/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Thank you from Barley ward Donation by Nicola Timms 11/09/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Hope to be doing one myself soon. You'll have to let me know what its like. Good luck! Donation by Charlotte Gilbert 11/09/09  

£4.00 + £1.13 Gift Aid

All the best of luck Jo, and hope you have a sensational day! Matt Donation by matthew hannaford 11/09/09  

£15.00 + £4.23 Gift Aid

Good luck hope the weather is on your side Donation by Micha Withoft 11/09/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Good Luck Jo Donation by Nicky Sansom 11/09/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Go girl!! Just remember, 1000 - 2000 - 3000 - CHECK!!! Let me know when you land!! x Donation by Kate Fallows 10/09/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Good luck! Donation by Tony P 10/09/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Nutter, hopefully see you on the ground Donation by Ian Beer 10/09/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Jo, Good luck for the jump- I would never have the bottle to do it! Donation by David Coupe 10/09/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Good luck Jo!! Donation by Rebekah Hardy 10/09/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Good Luck! you are braver than me!! Donation by Patrick Herlihy 09/09/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

You'll have the time of your life, happy landings and well done. Donation by Mikey 09/09/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

the aircraft will be working, there's no need to get out of it! Donation by Mark Bisset 09/09/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid
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* Total raised online: £950.00
  Offline donations: £200.00
  Gift Aid plus supplement: £265.13

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