So what's the deal?

The long and short of it is that I'll be risking life and limb to jump out of a plane at some significant altitude to go skydiving, hoping that this entertainment (at my expense, of course) will deem me worthy of your donations. "Big woop," I hear you say, but the majority of people who go skydiving do what's known as a tandem dive, where you're securly strapped to somebody else who knows what they're doing. You know, that's all very well, but you'll be glad (or perhaps slightly concerned) to know that I won't be doing that: This is because I'll be jumping out of a plane, securely attached to nothing but my own parachute. (I'll have clothes on, obviously, but I won't have the security of knowing I'm strapped to a professional!)

Got your attention now, haven't I?

I will be doing what's known as an Accelerated Freefall. This means I spend one day in a classroom learning all the basic skills I need in order to experience freefall on my first jump at an altitude of 15,000 feet. There will be two instructors jumping out of the plane with me, but I will be expected to not only deploy my parachute all by myself, but land all by myself too. Also known as AFF 1, this is the first stage of the actual course that people take in order to become fully qualified skydivers. I'm not sure whether I've got it in me to go completely solo and complete the course, but the thought having to throw myself out of a plane and get back to terra firma by myself without breaking any bones, sustaining major trauma, or having a coronor render me deceased is both scary and exciting. And totally worth you donating lots of money. So get your wallets and purses out right now if you haven't already.

When and where is this spectacular event going to happen?

All being well, I'll be jumping out of a plane on the 7th July 2012 (but my window is the 7th – 15th July), so let's hope the British weather plays ball, as there's obviously no way I'm jumping during a thunderstorm. 

I'm not sure whether spectators will be allowed at the Drop Zone, but once I've got more details on when my jump will actually be taking place, I'll publish it here and you're more than welcome to come along for moral support, provided it is okay with the people facilitating on the day.

Will any of the money I donate go towards the cost of what you're doing?

Absolutely not. The cost of the dive and another other expenditure related to it will be entirely out of my own pocket. If you want to gift an AFF 1 course to me, that would of course be great! But the money donated here or in person will be going directly towards the charity I have chosen to support. And that's that. 

Cancer Research UK and JustGiving

I know there are other charities out there doing great work in supporting those suffering from cancer, as well as their friends and loved ones, but I chose Cancer Research UK as they are the country's only UK charity to carry out pinoeering research and I'm sure you'll all agree that there are lots of people out there looking for a cure. Their funding doesn't just go towards research however; Cancer Research UK are also there to provide information to patients, health professionals and the public, as well as influencing public policy to make sure that cancer isn't just pushed to the side.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe and they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity. And it saves me having to count all the pennies!

Thanks for visiting my fundraising page, and please remember to check back if and when you have the time for updates, pictures and (maybe) videos.

Love and hugs,

Little Anne