Update 17/08/2026

Hello sponsors!!

Well, the 10k ft jump happened yesterday.

It seems there was a little misunderstanding surrounding my expectations. Mum told me she really enjoyed her parachute jump back in the day. 'The ground floats up towards you.'

Following a teary post-jump phone call, it transpires, Mum's solo jump was from 2000 feet.

Ah.

The ground doesn't 'float up to you' from 10k ft. I'd say I enjoyed the thrill at about 10% vs 90% existential terror. According to the ground crew, my wails could be heard from a long way off...

I can thoroughly not recommend it. Do not do. Just say no, unless of course it's for bat conservation...

However, GOOD NEWS.

I shed so many tears, that I have likely seeded some desperately needed rain clouds for the drought.

Even BETTER, YOU have supported me to the tune of £1400 for the BCT!

£1400!!!!

Due to the totally unforeseeable fact that I found tumbling through thin air to be horrifying, I will likely not slither from a plane again (jump honestly isn't the right verb here), which makes all of your donations count even more.

Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!

Our beautiful, helpful bats really need support, and you have provided it.

I've updated the gallery, and I'm actually smiling in some of them!! Some expressions look like smiles, but are just a face lift from the velocity.

xxx

Emily

Update - 03/08/2026

Dear lovely friends and supporters,

With less than two weeks to go until I have to be very brave, I wanted to send a huge message of thanks to those who have donated.   I've been bowled over - so much so I've boosted my fundraising target, you've been AMAZING.   

I've received a few questions and comments - I'll try to answer here:

Q. Will you try to echolocate like a bat?

A.  Yes.  

Q. How long is the free fall? 

A. Up to a minute.  I thought it was ten seconds when I signed up...

Q. Will you dress up like a bat?

A. No - this is not allowed because of the jump suit.  But I would have gone for a brown long-eared bat had I done fancy dress, the ears might have slowed my fall.

Q. Didn't your Mum do a skydive? 

A. Yes, about forty years ago.  And she did it solo without an instructor.  So there goes my kudos.

Q. Are you aware that the UK is in a drought?  It'll be like landing on concrete... 

A. I hadn't thought of that. No.  Thanks babez.

Q. When and where? 

A. 16th August, Old Sarum airfield.  23rd August is the weather back up date.

Please see my previous post for more info about bats and a little bit about the BCT!

x

Emily

Original post - 10/07/2026

Hi team,

Thanks so much for visiting my page!

Yes, yes I know, some people run marathons or write books or whatever. I'm just being passively strapped to someone and dropping, hopefully while my soul doesn't leave my body from fear.

Why?

Well, I'll be flying like a bat on Sunday 16th Aug (back-up date 23rd Aug) to raise money for the Bat Conservation Trust.

As you may know, I'm a huge fan of bats, and my career has taken in a turn in their direction. The more I learn about them, the more I love them.

But, why should you send me cash, or indeed do anything for bats?

Firstly, bats are delightfully social creatures. My favourite bat fact, is that if a baby bat falls from the roost, it's mother may try to come and collect it. Supporting the Bat Helpline is one way in which the BCT help with bat rehab, enabling reunions and advising the public on stranded bats. Bats are incredibly long lived for their size (a UK horseshoe bat once lived to 37...!), making this work even more valuable.

Secondly, the Bat Conservation Trust once employed my sister Kate on their bat helpline. Nice of them that.

Lastly, all species of UK bats are threatened. This is bad because we need them for a) human disease control and b) crop protection - both via their consumption of a range of insects, thus keeping pest populations under control, including invasive mosquitos.

I fully appreciate that not everyone will find bats as cute and delightful as I do, but if you can find a grudging respect and a tenner, that is more than enough.

Finally - we're living in tricky economic times, so if you can't spare the cash, please please don't stress, there is loads you can do for bats instead. Putting bells or rustling collars on pet cats, keeping cats in at night, or having indoor cats makes a huge difference. I'm a cat lover, but fully acknowledge that they are murderous. And then simply spreading the word - enthusing about bats is incredibly powerful!

Thanks again.

Emily

P.s - Here's the info from JustGiving.

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.