A few of us are getting together and jumping out of a plane to raise money for the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society. This charity is very close to my heart as they are helping my daddy who suffers from this illness.  He has attended some of their facilities where they have specialist equipment and instructors to help them with the gym equipment.  They have oxygen tanks which when MS is first diagnosed is very beneficial as it can delay the symptoms for a period of time.  However it all comes at a cost . The money they receive pays for carers to help people like my daddy get out of bed, get washed and dressed, things we do everyday but take for granted, as well as equipment they may need, i .e. ramps, electronic wheelchairs and harnesses to help move people from their wheelchair into a seat or bed. 

There are different types of MS. Unfortunately my daddy has Primary Progressive MS and has declined very rapidly in a short space of time.  He has been unable to get a grant to fund some equipment he desperately needs, i .e. a special seat so he doesn't get sores and a machine to lift him out of his bed/seat and into his wheelchair so that he isn't housebound.  I therefore need to raise money, both for him, and the MS Society.

So what better way to raise lots of money than to jump out of a plane, 10,000 feet up, falling at 120mph (makes my stomach churn just thinking about it).  May I say, I get nervous just getting on a plane.  Anyone who has been on holiday with me will tell you they had nail marks on their hand as I gripped on so tightly as we took off.  Not sure I will manage to do this, but I need to do this for my daddy and would really appreciate you helping us to raise lots of money for a really good cause. 

Our target is £5,000.

We will be jumping on the 24th October in Cambridge.

Below shows some of the ways the money the MS Society receives is used:

£38  -  runs the MS Society helpline for half an hour
£113  -  funds an MS Specialist Nurse for one day
£500  -  provides a local information event
£1,000  -  buys one week's respite care providing a vital break for carers
£1,500  -  buys a mobility scooter, allowing people the freedom and independence to get out and not be totally reliant on carers
£5,000  -  buys a level-access shower and wet room to help someone bathe independently and reduce the need for carers to assist them in the bathroom