Chris Collis
This time its serious... 10,000 feet.
Fundraising for Medecins Sans Frontieres / Doctors Without Borders (MSF)
Story
11th May 2005
It's official, adrenaline is brown! and 14,000 feet is high - In fact 4000 feet higher than originally planned!
That's 2½ miles straight up. Jumping out of a perfectly servicable aircraft may seem like a bit of a strange thing to do, but it's OK because it only takes 45 seconds to fall 1½ miles at 120mph, back to 1 mile in the air (4500 feet).. Then the parachute opened and I floated gently down for the last mile before landing delicately on my backside.
The best bit - Watching the plane fly away above me as we left from the back door, and ALL of the free fall.
The worst bit, a vomit-inducing spiralling rollercoaster ride under the open canopy trying to lose height above the landing zone (or D.Z. as we seasoned sky-divers call it ... who am I kidding); Also, feeling sick for about 5 minutes after landing, but that's an adrenaline thing I guess.
Would I recommend it? Absolutely Would I do it again? Not sure - It was definitely very exciting and great fun, but somehow I think I've ticked that box - I'll need to look for something else for my next fund-raising event (2006/2007). ***Now... Let's face it, throwing myself out of a perfectly good aeroplane with no visible means of support is nothing compared with the efforts of the teams from Medecins sans Frontieres (UK) who bring emergency medical aid to famine, disaster and warzones in 80 countries across the world. and let's face it, putting a £25 or £30 charge on your credit card will be a completely painless experience - you probably won't even notice it on your bill at the end of the month, and just think how good it'll make you feel about yourself. Thanks very much for those of you who have donated. All the money donated to date has already been sent to MSF. thanks also to Jim Bradwell for donating the jump, and to Justin Thompson for donating the medical certificate (twice!) .. and for those who haven't put your hands in your pocket: its still not too late to add your name to the list. - YOU CAN AFFORD IT. Cash, Cheques or donations to this site by credit card are all accepted. Next week I'll add the pictures! **** ABOUT MEDECINS SANS FRONTIERES **** **** DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS **** Medecins sans frontireres was one of the first into the fray following the Tsunami in the Indian Ocean after Christmas. But the rest of the world hasn't stopped turning and MSF's work also continues across the globe: - dealing with the aftermath of floods in Mexico, landslides in Venezuela, and hurricanes in the Carribean and Pacific - specialized care and treatment for diseases such as sleeping sickness, tuberculosis and malaria in war zones such as Sudan and Somalia - inoculation programmes in India and Asia; HIV programmes in Africa, Asia and Central America, - working with the UN in Uganda: "the largest neglected humanitarian emergency in the world". Please dig deep. many thanks Chris Now the technical bit... Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Médecins Sans Frontières UK 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. There is a small management fee charged to the charity for using a debit/credit-card on this website, so please add a bit (say 5%) to your donation to cover that. Alternatively give your cash or cheque made payable to C Collis; I will fill in the relevant Gift Aid forms and send it to Médecins sans Frontières. So please sponsor me now! Many thanks for your support.
It's official, adrenaline is brown! and 14,000 feet is high - In fact 4000 feet higher than originally planned!
That's 2½ miles straight up. Jumping out of a perfectly servicable aircraft may seem like a bit of a strange thing to do, but it's OK because it only takes 45 seconds to fall 1½ miles at 120mph, back to 1 mile in the air (4500 feet).. Then the parachute opened and I floated gently down for the last mile before landing delicately on my backside.
The best bit - Watching the plane fly away above me as we left from the back door, and ALL of the free fall.
The worst bit, a vomit-inducing spiralling rollercoaster ride under the open canopy trying to lose height above the landing zone (or D.Z. as we seasoned sky-divers call it ... who am I kidding); Also, feeling sick for about 5 minutes after landing, but that's an adrenaline thing I guess.
Would I recommend it? Absolutely Would I do it again? Not sure - It was definitely very exciting and great fun, but somehow I think I've ticked that box - I'll need to look for something else for my next fund-raising event (2006/2007). ***Now... Let's face it, throwing myself out of a perfectly good aeroplane with no visible means of support is nothing compared with the efforts of the teams from Medecins sans Frontieres (UK) who bring emergency medical aid to famine, disaster and warzones in 80 countries across the world. and let's face it, putting a £25 or £30 charge on your credit card will be a completely painless experience - you probably won't even notice it on your bill at the end of the month, and just think how good it'll make you feel about yourself. Thanks very much for those of you who have donated. All the money donated to date has already been sent to MSF. thanks also to Jim Bradwell for donating the jump, and to Justin Thompson for donating the medical certificate (twice!) .. and for those who haven't put your hands in your pocket: its still not too late to add your name to the list. - YOU CAN AFFORD IT. Cash, Cheques or donations to this site by credit card are all accepted. Next week I'll add the pictures! **** ABOUT MEDECINS SANS FRONTIERES **** **** DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS **** Medecins sans frontireres was one of the first into the fray following the Tsunami in the Indian Ocean after Christmas. But the rest of the world hasn't stopped turning and MSF's work also continues across the globe: - dealing with the aftermath of floods in Mexico, landslides in Venezuela, and hurricanes in the Carribean and Pacific - specialized care and treatment for diseases such as sleeping sickness, tuberculosis and malaria in war zones such as Sudan and Somalia - inoculation programmes in India and Asia; HIV programmes in Africa, Asia and Central America, - working with the UN in Uganda: "the largest neglected humanitarian emergency in the world". Please dig deep. many thanks Chris Now the technical bit... Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Médecins Sans Frontières UK 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. There is a small management fee charged to the charity for using a debit/credit-card on this website, so please add a bit (say 5%) to your donation to cover that. Alternatively give your cash or cheque made payable to C Collis; I will fill in the relevant Gift Aid forms and send it to Médecins sans Frontières. So please sponsor me now! Many thanks for your support.