YES it's official, I DID IT. I stepped out into the wide blue yonder and left the safety of a perfectly good Islander aeroplane before it had a chance to land. 12,000 feet from landing to be exact. I did a Tandem Skydive on 31st May 2008.  I can't honestly say I loved it, but it was certainly an adrenalin rush and completely out of character for this woman who thinks that completing a 1000 piece puzzle is a thrill.   The reason I did such a terrifying thing was to raise money for the Chilterns MS Centre which makes a huge difference to over 250 people each week all through the year and the numbers are increasing.

All the funding goes to the Chilterns MS Centre which provides support, advice, drug-free symptom management (such as physiotherapy, yoga and hyperbaric oxygen treatment), and a place to go to both give and receive support and understanding from others with multiple sclerosis. 

The Centre tries to never turn people away, but the need for such places is growing as is the number of services the Centre would like to provide for people living with MS.  The Centre has running costs of £350k per annum, which is amazingly low given the amount of services it provides.  The Centre, exists primarily on donations from its clients, their families, donations and some corporate sponsorship which is why such fundraising events are so important to us. If you would like to find out more about the Chilterns MS Centre visit their website at www.chilternsmscentre.org

I was fortunate enough to find the Centre a few years ago and the difference it has made to my life and how I deal with my MS has been enormous.  The wonderful staff and volunteers at the Centre never stop encouraging us to push ourselves, keep trying, keep positive and keep a sense of humour about the indignities that MS can bring.   If you want to find out about the humour in MS, pop down to the Centre for a Saturday morning physiotherapy session to see 8 MS patients with balance problems try to stand on one leg with their eyes closed.   Or ask me about the skydiving injury I got ... I fell over getting a cup of tea at the skydiving centre 2 hours before falling out of a plane (which was much less painful than falling 3 feet).

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Chilterns MS Centre Ltd will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.  If you are not a UK taxpayer you can still sponsor me through this site.

Thank you for visiting my fundraising page. Please dig deep and continue to hep me raise funds for the Centre.  This site doesn't close until 31st July so, even though I've done the skydive, you can still add your donation.  In fact, I know some of you were waiting to check that I really would go through with it!

Many thanks for your continuing support.

Alice