Report by Ray Drew - Bungee Jump

                                 Sunday 22nd February 2009

                                   MISSION COMPLETED SIR!!

What a fantastic, electrifying and mind-blowing experience that was. Sunday Feb 22 arrived, the weather was cold but dry. We set off from Wakefield at 0700hrs and arrived at the Transporter Bridge inMiddlesbrough at 0830hrs. On arrival, I went through the processing procedure, first being weighed, filling in 'Membership Forms'  & instruction in ' Safety & Harness Fitting' and then being weighed again to ensure that the correct bungee would be used.  Then came the task of getting to the top of the bridge, which consisted of climbing 210 steep steps, which was an ordeal in itself (I felt like throwing myself off halfway up!). The moment came when I was ushered into the jumping area where the harness was strapped firmly around my ankles, prior to attachment to a giant elastic band.  The safety rail slid back and there I was, teetering on the edge of oblivion looking down 170 feet into the, brown, uninviting, muddy waters of the River Tees. The Jumpmaster asked if I was OK, I nodded my head (instead of shaking it!), I then heard, One - - Two - - Three BUNGEE!, and without fully realising what I was doing, I had dived forward, throwing myself off of the edge of the bridge. I suddenly became aware of freefalling, no, uncontrollably plummeting, at great speed, towards that great cold, freezing stretch of water below with the cold icy wind whistling around my poor hairless head!  It seemed an age before the Bungee Rope arrested my fall, and there I was, dangling, bouncing up and down like some giant, demented, spasmodic spider in mid air. I watched as the little rubber 'rescue' launch made its way towards where my body was now pendulum like and spinning, when it was directly below me, I was lowered into it, like a wet fish, ready to be transported back to the bosom of my family. I must say that I was well supported by my wonderful loving family and friends who turned out for the occasion, fifteen of us in all. 

The whole experience was a complete and thoroughly enjoyable adrenaline rush. Many, many thanks to all who have been very supportive of  me in my quest for donations on behalf of  the RP FIGHTING BLINDNESS. BRITISH RETINITIS PIGMENTOSA SOCIETY. At present the donations already collected total £ 2032 – 00p, with still a few £s to come in.  

 ON BEHALF OF MYSELF, MY FAMILY and BRITISH RETINITIS PIGMENTOSA SOCIETY MANY, MANY THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Ray Drew. 3 Thornes Moor Drive, Wakefield. WF2 8QB

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 I Ray Drew, age 68, proud Father of 4, Grandfather of 10 and Great Grandfather of 3, will hereby selflessly and fearlessly hurl myself from the top of the 'Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge', harnessed only by a gigantic elastic band, to raise money for the charity  'RP FIGHTING BLINDNESS'. (Never done a 'Bungee Jump' before!).
 
To put it in a nutshell I shall be performing a Bungee Jump on Sunday 22nd February 2009 at approximately 0930hrs (9-30 AM) to raise money for 'RP Fighting Blindness'. The jump will be from the centre of the 'Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge', Ferry Road, Middlesbrough. Teeside. TS2 1PL. So come along to watch and give support as I 'Madman Ray' perform this 'Death Defying Leap Into The Unknown' as I plunge 170 feet down, towards the river Tees.

All expenses for the event are being met by my family which means that every single penny donated will go to the charity without any form of deduction whatsoever!
 
(RP) FIGHTING BLINDNESS is a charity that gives those losing their sight as a result of RP, the support necessary to lead a normal  independent life. They also fund much of the medical research that could, one day, help stamp out this condition.
 
Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) is a name given to a group of hereditary eye diseases which affect the retina. It is a progressive disease for which, at this present moment, there is no cure or treatment that will halt its progress.
 
With your help we can all make a difference. PLEASE GIVE GENEROUSLY!!!