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Media releases > Adrenalin skydive, September '05
Are you ready to take a tumble for international development?
(21 June 2005)
For the second year running VSO is getting ready to tumble for International Development. On September 10 & 11 VSO are aiming to host the sky diving event of the year at Hinton Skydiving Centre, Northamptonshire. Wanted are up to 100 sponsored “jumpers” willing to take up the challenge, and take to the skies, to raise funds for VSO’s work in the developing world.
VSO works with some of the world’s poorest people who often live in very challenging conditions. VSO volunteers are experienced professionals who work to share skills with local communities helping them to build better lives and make poverty history. Funds raised from this high flying event will be used to support VSO’s work around the world and help children like Ruth from Kenya, whose cerebral palsy meant she missed out on an education and making friends. Ruth is now able to go to school, thanks to a VSO volunteer physiotherapist and her Kenyan colleagues.
To be part of this year’s Adrenalin team, willing participants must pay a one off administration fee of £25 and raise £375 in sponsorship over the next two months. This may sound like a lot but by using the specially created online fundraising page at www.vso.org.uk/adrenalin this target can be reached surprisingly quickly and with minimal effort. A “jumper” from last year’s event raised over £300 simply by sending a link to his special created fundraising home page.
This could be a chance to fulfil a lifelong desire or challenge yourself to do something daring for charity. Friends and family are invited to come along on the day and share in the excitement. All those taking part will be fully briefed and accompanied on their jump by an experienced professional. This form of jumping called “Tandem descent” is the easiest and safest way to experience skydiving so there is no need to feel nervous. It’s such rush! Definitely the most exhilarating experience I have ever had!
Shelley Piggott, 27, London To sign up simply go to www.vso.org.uk/adrenalin or alternatively ring +44 (0)20 8780 7289 to request an information pack. It was a great feeling and the fact it was for a good cause put an extra shine on it. Doing something like that makes you feel anything is possible. Sometimes when I’ve had a stressful day at work I’ll remember how I felt when I jumped out of that plane and it always puts a smile back on my face.
Ben Langdon, 29, London
Editors' notes- VSO - VSO is an International Development charity that works through skilled, professional, experienced volunteers who live and work with local communities to share skills and knowledge. Since 1958 VSO has sent over 30,000 volunteers to work all over the world in response to requests from its overseas partners.
Case studiesShelley Piggott, 27, Project Officer, London
In 2004 Shelley was one of 65 people who took to the skies and jumped for VSO, raising a staggering £10,000 between them.
"I had always wanted to do skydiving but had been a little scared. When I heard about it last year for VSO I thought why not? It’s for a really good cause."
Shelley even managed to persuade eight of her work colleagues to join her.
She admits that on the day of the jump she was very apprehensive but once she got to the airfield and met her instructors she felt more at ease. As former military personal the instructors have made hundreds of jumps between them. They spent the morning walking Shelley and her fellow ‘jumpers’ through the day, explaining how everything worked, including the back up parachutes.
On board the plane Shelley explains:
"There simply wasn’t time to be nervous. We were all strapped to our instructors and the banter between us all was fantastic. By the time we reached 12,000ft everyone was really excited about doing the jump – me included. It was a perfect day clear skies and little wind. By the time my turn came my heart was thumping with excitement."
Jumping with her instructor Shelley had what she described "an amazing experience":
I was falling at 120mph screaming with excitement all the way, it was thrilling and very noisy! Once my instructor deployed the parachute it was like the whole world had gone quiet. We were able to float and twist using the parachute, it felt so calm and surreal.
After an easy landing Shelley was completely energized.
"It’s just such a rush. Definitely the most exhilarating experience I’ve ever had. Just talking about it makes me want to do it again. I’d say to anyone who has ever wanted to do it, sign up, you won't regret it."
Ben Langdon, 29, Project Manager, London
"I’ve done bungee jumping in New Zealand and paragliding in Turkey but I’d have to say skydiving is by far the best. It’s easier than bungee jumping and you get a bigger rush."
Once Ben had decided to do the VSO sponsored jump he set about talking most of his family into joining him. It’s always more fun to share an experience. On the day of the jump Ben felt very comfortable with his instructors. Having his friends and family there meant that the plane journey up to 12,000ft was a noisy one. On board were Ben, his sister, brother, girlfriend and cousin. Ben, as the eldest, was first one to jump.
"At first you’re just free falling, it’s amazing, totally weightlessness for 40 seconds. The winds’ whipping past you and your face is wobbling all over the place. Then the instructor deploys the parachute and you get this feeling that your moving upwards. There’s no noise, it’s incredibly peaceful, it’s just goes from one extreme to another."
After a soft landing Ben watched his family complete their jumps.
"It was a great feeling and the fact it was for a good cause put an extra shine on it. Doing some thing like that makes you feel anything is possible. Sometimes when I’ve had a stressful day at work I’ll remember how I felt when I jumped out of that plane and it always puts a smile back on my face."
*Interviews are available with both Ben and Shelley.
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