My Charity Skydive from 15,000 feet Dunkeswell Airport Devon on Friday 8th October - if you've already read my intro, read my actual account below - still time to donate! 

OK, It seemed like a good idea in January and I was up for it.  Something I wanted to do in my twenties along with swimming with dolphins, travelling the world going on exciting adventures etc etc

So now the day gets ever nearer and the realisation begins to dawn… I thought it was about time I read the “information about your jump” page.  Oh how I wish I hadn’t.......

...‘On arrival at the Airfield, you will be introduced to your instructor who will prepare you for your tandem skydive with a safety brief before providing you with the relevant equipment’....

On arrival I will be sidling up to a plump but tall bloke to cushion my landing. On this occasion whether he is good looking or not is secondary – or less even.  I cannot look even the slightest bit attractive in my oversized boiler suit strung over with a harness that looks very much like a baby-bouncer. Relevant equipment for me will be padded underwear & a sick bag.

'Once at altitude and we get the green light for ‘GO!’ you will experience the most exhilarating, adrenaline pumping moment of your life as you and your instructor edge towards the door and your ears are filled with the rush of air and engine noise’....

When we see the green light for ‘GO’ I  will be experiencing extreme terror and as we edge toward the door, I won’t hear any “rush” or engine noise as my ears will be filled with my own voice

                                                     

‘As you exit the aircraft you will experience speeds of 120mph as the adrenaline rushes over you for up to a full minute, freefalling up to 2 miles!! Enjoy the freedom of this awesome sport’.....

120 mph!!!!!!!!!!!! – 2 miles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Enjoy – is he joking???????? 

                                                    

‘As you fall, simply shout or scream and you will find you can breath easily’........

The shouting and screaming will have started back in the plane mate!

                                                    

‘As the large canopy unfolds, you will become aware of the sudden peace and quiet of the parachute ride lasting approx. 5 minutes. Help your Instructor steer the parachute around the sky before gliding back to the airfield'.......

As the canopy unfolds the pilot will be aware my breakfast is decorating his tailfin and my unfortunate “buddy” will be considering if it would harm his reputation too much to 'accidentally' lose just one punter……. It will be fine...........I'll probably love it...........probably do it again next year

                                                     

So WHY am I doing this?

Because I have spent time with this fabulous group of kids in Tanzania & 2 amazing women who have spent the last 5 years working their socks off to make a great home for them and see they are well fed and educated. What is really great though is they have just acquired some land to build their very own house, and a nursery for local children. They have the drive & determination now they need the money to do it. 

I am doing something stupid so you will do something great! help these kids get off to a good start in life by sponsoring my jump, I am literally going out on a limb here folks! Donate your dosh, don’t think about it just do it, it will feel great I promise. Don't worry about me, it's about time I went grey - leave some money and a message - make it something you won't be sorry you said if it all goes wrong!

You're all brilliant

Trish x

Visit www.swtz.org to read more about the charity

Now read below the account of the experience!

It is barely 3 hrs since we took the flight and were heaved into the atmosphere. I still feel a bit queasy and Mum is recovering with a snooze in the lounge (for those who don't know mum joined me to celebrate her 80th birthday), a bit concerned as she remembers none of it – what a waste of £200 squid! Luckily there was a camera man on board who filmed her experience .  I hope she recovers enough to remember she would contribute to the £80 which I paid on her behalf!!!!

It was every bit as terrifying, but more amazing than I expected.  Both our instructors were excellent and kept us jovial, we had a lot of laughs getting into our suits, mum was particularly funny. We were totally chilled before we got into the plane and took off, strapped so tight together with our instructors one could hardly breath. We were not sat together so I couldn’t check with mum but she was chatting away.  12 minutes to reach 15,000 feet, almost 3 miles, the highest jump you can do without oxygen.

I was fine until the door rolled up, and it is such a big door! 3 went out before mum who was to jump before me.  Nerves were mounting, as we inched forward along the bench I was fearful.  I didn’t like the look on her face as mum was ordered to kneel and when she didn’t, I kicked her leg under her – to help,  of course! A bit like you would a camel to get them down.

Mum disappeared from view & now I am pushed off the bench & My instructor Chris  “invited” me to kneel, & before I  could say “dear God”…. You’re out the door hurtling into grey nothingness…………….

Strangely I thought I saw a flash of the underside of the plane????????? The exit was astoundingly scary and I am glad it is quick, no hanging around or time to say “actually, keep the £200 quid, I’ll stay thanks”.

So I am hurtling towards the ground, the noise as the wind strips past your ears is deafening. Some have a problem but I didn’t have trouble breathing or yelling in that 1^st minute as we reach 120mph in our 2 mile freefall.  I am thinking this is better than leaving the plane but I am not having fun yet. At least I was not sick!

Suddenly we zoom upwards it feels, as the canopy opens  (thank you God!), the crushing force & noise of the freefall stops immediately and, as if you have entered some other experience, there is peace and a stunning patchwork of green beneath you.  We are still a mile high, drifting now and I feel relaxed.  The murder tight straps are loosened off a bit and we can chat. Chris made a couple of swooping turns which I made me feel sick so we kept to more graceful moves. We were in blue sky, above small puffy clouds. When I asked what it was like to go through them Chris said it is fine.  I told him of my flashback of the plane, Chris explained we actually did a 360 roll out, not usual but not uncommon - not nice, was my opinion!

We hung around for quite a while it seemed, taking in the lovely vista, we can see for miles and it is truly tranquil and beautiful. We did a bit of cloud surfing and soon the buildings and airstrip appeared much bigger. I could see our fans lining the fence, waiting our jubilant arrival, and other canopies collapsed on the landing site nearby. Next, practice the landing position, knees up, legs out straight & hold…. Perfect he said.  Then the ground came rushing up, too fast I thought for a soft landing – correct – “knees up & hold” Bang, crunch, ouch!, right on the coccyx. I am still wincing – and hurting………..sitting on a very bouncy cushion as I write.

I saw Mum was on her feet & calling to me which was reassuring. We had pictures taken and then off into the minibus to take us back to base. I feel like I have been on a rather long fairground ride and am quite happy to have gotten off, my stomach is decidedly uneasy.

All to soon the congratulations are over, we watch mum’s video in the waiting area, Mum says she doesn’t remember getting into the plane, or out, or landing. I am a little concerned, perhaps it is temporary amnesia caused by the extreme experience?  Mum has a pain in her ribs and I a sore rear but we did it!  People whiz back to work and appointments and we are on our way home, quite unreal.  Mum is sleeping it off on the sofa and I will keep an eye on her.

So, thank you all for your encouragement, Special thanks to all who sponsored me for Seeway Tanzania & mum for her village charities.

donations – yet to be tallied up but each of us should exceed £600 for our charities.

Nausea abating now.

Another tick on my bucket list!