27/06/05: We arrived at the Army Parachute Association (Netheravon) at 8.45am to sign in, not feeling very hopeful as the day was very overcast. During training, we were told that we wouldn't jump until we could see blue sky.

It wasn't until late afternoon that our turn came around. I was teamed up with my instructor (Gav Tuckley) and strapped into my harness. After we'd come back down I found out he was one of the Red Devils Army Parachute Display Team - I wish I'd known before!

I had no problem leaving the plane - as I was strapped to Gav and where he went I went. We jumped out at 13,500 feet - and reached at least 120mph during freefall. Freefall only lasted about 50 seconds but was the best bit of the whole experience. With no reference points and no gravity, it felt like I was floating - which was helpful when Gav made us spin and tumble for the cameraman.

Then the fun started. The ripcord was pulled and the parachute deployed - I think my stomach carried on falling (I caught up with it later) and the harness tried to redefine my sexuality.

I was given control of the canopy (that's what we in the know call a parachute) and told to move the cords down in the direction I wanted to travel. I moved to the left, and then wished that I hadn't. This is when I caught up with my stomach. It felt like the worst fairground ride I had ever been on. It seemed that the more my sense of balance and gravity argued, the more Gav twisted us around. At least he seemed to be having fun. I managed to keep my cool for the cameras, but I was feeling very green. In fact, it wasn't until lunchtime the following Monday that I started to feel better! I would like to say thank you to everyone at Netheravon (especially Gav: http://www.reddevilsonline.com/team_dy.php?memberid=22), to all the people who came to see us, to those that sponsored us - and to Jo, the reason that we did it. Thanks! ------------------------------------- I volunteered to do a charity skydive in aid of CancerBACUP after my wife, Jo, was told that she was not allowed to jump. Jo, who worked for many years as a flute teacher with Dorset Music Service, was diagnosed with a brain tumour in June 2003 after a trip to the optician. Just three days after the optician had noticed something slightly odd about the shape of her left eye, Jo was in an operating theatre in Southampton General Hospital having 80% of the tumour removed. A course of radiotherapy and lots of support meant that, eighteen months later, Jo felt ready to give something back to one of the charities that helped her family. Along with her best friend (Jo Richards, a teacher at St Andrews in Preston) and her sister (Kerry Swords) she planned to do a skydive in aid of CancerBACUP. Unfortunately, in early April 2005, we had the news that the tumour had started to grow again and her oncologist did not think that freefalling for 10,000 feet would be a very good idea for Jo - so she volunteered me to do the jump for her. I needed to raise at least £375 to do the jump (which I have done, thanks!) - but I am obviously very keen to raise as much as possible. When Jo was first diagnosed I naturally turned first to the web for information, as I work in this media. CancerBACUP was recommended by one of the nurses at Southampton, and their information and support helped us all through the first few, very confusing, months of Jo's illness. CancerBACUP is a free cancer information service staffed by qualified and experienced cancer nurses, which provides publications on all aspects of cancer written specifically for patients and their families. In order for me to raise as much money as possible I need you to either fill in the online payment details below, or contact me at chrisandjo_davies@hotmail.com The jump itself will happen on 26 June 2005 in Salisbury. Thank you for your support.