Alex is skydiving from 15,000 feet to raise money for The Wingate Centre.

On 31st May I’ll be jumping out of an airplane three miles above the earth (hopefully attached to someone who knows what they are doing!) and falling at 120mph for one minute before the canopy opens!

This will be a very different challenge to the Clipper Race that I did last October, which was more of an endurance test. This will be more like a short sharp shock! A sprint instead of a marathon if you will, but well worthy of a fundraise. Therefore I'd really appreciate it if you could be as generous as possible (any amount, small or large, would be fantastic) as all the funds will go directly to The Wingate Centre, a charity based in Nantwich, Cheshire that my father was instrumental in establishing 35 years ago.

The Wingate Centre supports children and young adults with special education needs and disabilities through its recreational and residential facilities.

Set within the beautiful countryside of rural Nantwich, Cheshire; The Wingate Centre believes that everyone should have equal access to opportunities that improve their quality of life and wellbeing, regardless of ability. They aim to be a centre of excellence for inclusive residential, sport and recreational facilities that allow those with SEND to be active, improve their health, their mental wellbeing and to grow in confidence. Supporting over 500 individuals each year through their residential and recreational facilities.

A very important final note: I’m doing the jump with some friends: Mel, Freddie (Philippa), Tori and Claire who are raising money for the RNLI. Mel's father, Chris Copeland, served in the British Army's 7th Parachute Regiment (RHA). Many years later, as a keen ocean-going sailor and Branch Chair of the RNLI, Chris has set up a skydiving fundraiser for the charity called "Three Fall Challenge" (he free falls solo with individuals who, like us, do a tandem jump, hence 'three fall'). You can find out more and donate here: Chris's Angels Skydive Team is fundraising for RNLI - Royal National Lifeboat Institution (justgiving.com)