Not sure if anyone still reads this page but if you do.....Well here we are over a year on from 'the' skydive'last June. I am so pleased to say, and grateful too, that money is still coming in. This is mainly from Sparlings bakery in Lavenham who have supported the cause from beginning. Sadly they also lost a local boy, Lance CorporalJonathon Woodgate, who was due home a few days after his untimely death.

Wendy, Dans mother was last week presented with a medal for her outstanding contribution to fundraising for Help for Heroes. She has to date (October 2011) collected over £177,000. A truly amazing amount you must agree but I know Wendy would like me to point out that if you have even given only £1 to me you are part of that wonderful contribution and she and I thank you for that.

June 15th 2010....Just returned from Skydive UK. Oh my gosh what a day. I actually managed to do the skydive but due to a mixture of nerves and windy weather promptly threw up upon landing. Ha ha ha.

To be totally honest I can not say I enjoyed it at all but am now realising what I have achieved. I jumped but I could not have done this without all of your support.

Due to your generosity I am passing over two thousand pounds to Help 4 Heroes. I am sure Wendy, Daniels mum, who I originally thought of doing this for will be overjoyed.

Thank you so so much.

Sending love

Maryka (with her feet firmly on the ground) xxxxx (that sounds like a Bridget Jones line)

23 years ago I met a wonderful person, Wendy, whilst attending antenatal classes. We had lots of laughs together and both gave birth to our first child in August 1986. I think our friendship had something special because of this. Wendy is one of those exceptional people who always is there for you, whether that is because she is arranging surprises or helping with problems. A true friend.

I expect most of you spoke to your child today, maybe yesterday or last week or you will be tomorrow? My darling friend won't ever do that again with her son Dan.

Last July I received a call to say that Dan , her first born, had been killed whilst on foot patrol in Afganistan. My instant response was shock and sorrow. Over the following weeks I watched as with seven other brave boys, Dan was bought home and like many people that vision of eight coffins being driven through Wootton Bassett will stay with me for ever.

I was able to travel from Suffolk to Berkshire for Dans funeral and it was the most moving thing I have ever been to. So dignified, so many people, such touching tributes.

Time has moved on but not really for Wendy and although she has been busy raising money and looking after her other children I know she is suffering. I have never felt so useless and found helping someone so hard. What could I do for a friend, a mother, who had lost so much?

So here I am. I knew the nicest thing I could offer was something for Dan. I wanted to do something out of my comfort zone and came up with the crazy idea of a tandem skydive, hence...'DIVE FOR DAN'.

I need you to know I hate small planes, get really bad motion sickness and am petrified of heights!

On June 15th 2010 I will be jumping 13,000 feet, dropping at up to 120 miles an hour for 50 seconds and then (if I have not passed out) parachuting for seven minutes to the ground.

Now I am asking you (and friends and family) if you would sponsor my jump? I want to raise a minimum of £500.00 so need as many sponsors as possible. Wendy has requested that the money go to Help for Heroes. www.helpforheroes.org.uk a wonderful cause that helps badly injured soldiers returning from Afganistan and Iraq.

Please please please sponsor me. I will keep you updated as things progress. THANK YOU

Love M xxx
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