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.