Dear all,

Thank you for visiting my fundraising page.

With 2009 and most of my life ahead of me, I thought what better way of starting the year if not to jump off an aircraft at 10,000 feet (for us non Brits that is 3048 metres)!

Imagine standing at the edge of an open doorway in a flying aircraft - the noise of the engines and the wind ringing in your ears with only the outline of distant fields below. Now imagine leaning forward out of that doorway and letting go - falling forward into the clouds, diving down through the air as you start freefalling at over 120mph (Mum and Dad: that is about 193 km/hours. If you thought my driving was bad – this is much, much worse!).

Then imagine the peace and quiet as the canopy opens (it better or it wont be that quiet!!!), the steering toggles come down either side of you and you begin a tranquil parachute descent from a mile up in the air, steering yourself back down to the centre of the drop zone below (or in my case: centre-ish!).

Well... if you have read to this point I am impressed! And now I am going to answer the question you are asking yourself (no, it’s not whether I have lost my mind): Is Nakisa doing a tandem skydiving jump???

The answer is: YES I AM!

What is it: A tandem jump (poor person having to jump with me!)
When: Sunday 08 February 2009
Where: Headcorn Parachute Club, Maidstone, Kent

Why you may ask. Apart from the adrenaline kick (oh yeah!) I am doing it for no better reason than charity! The charity I am risking my life for is Breakthrough Breast Cancer. Breakthrough is the UK's leading charity committed to fighting breast cancer through Research, Campaigning and Education.

Apart from being the most common cancer in the UK, breast cancer incidence rates have increased by more than 50% over the last 25 years! In the UK in 2005 more than 45,500 women were diagnosed with breast cancer. That is around 125 women a day!!! And worldwide, more than a million women are diagnosed with breast cancer every year.

With the work of charities such as the Breakthrough Breast Cancer more women are surviving breast cancer than ever before. In the 1970s around 5 out of 10 breast cancer patients survived beyond five years. Now it's 8 out of 10! However, these charities need money……

This is where you come into the picture. I would appreciate any kind of donation, however small or large. In exchange I am happy for you to see pictures and watch the video or me jumping out of a plane and screaming (if not swearing) in at least two languages. Trust me: it will be worth it!

I just want to add that I will of course pay the jump, DVD and pictures myself. All the money donated will go to the Breakthrough Breast Cancer, registered charity number 1062636.

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Breakthrough Breast Cancer gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.

If you do not want to use the internet I have a donation sheet, which was given to me by the Skyline Parachuting Company, by my desk. The form is very easy to complete (one line only!).

If (I hope my parents don’t read this bit!) I survive I will hopefully see you on 09-Feb-2009 in one piece!!!!

Many Thanks,

Nakisa Alizadeh

PS: For those of you who want to know what happens if I don't make the jump: Don’t even ask - I am doing it! I am not a chicken! I mean, come on, chickens don’t fly ;)

Read more about Breakthrough Breast Cancer: http://www.breakthrough.org.uk

Reference for the information above: http://info.cancerresearchuk.org/cancerstats/types/breast/