Four brave paediatric nurses from the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital took the plunge last weekend to raise money for Rockinghorse Children’s Charity.
On Saturday 21 May, Emma Sharp, Nicola Jones, Natalie Brooks and Helen Quinn headed up to the GoSkydive site in Salisbury to take part in a tandem skydive from 10,000 feet up in the air.
The group were originally meant to do their skydive last September, but unfortunately it had to be rescheduled because of bad weather, so the group were raring to go after waiting nearly eight months to finally do their leap of faith.
All four nurses work at the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital in Brighton and chose to support Rockinghorse after seeing the support the charity provides to healthcare settings around Sussex like the Alex.
Natalie explained why she wanted to put herself through such a challenge: “I had always wanted to do a skydive so when the opportunity presented itself to do one along with supporting a charity that I have seen such amazing support from, I couldn’t pass it up!”
The group stayed together during their preparations but did find some time to relax before the big jump. Natalie said: “We had quite a nice build up to the jump sitting in the sunshine and playing card games while we waited our turn which I think definitely helped the nerves!”
“I tried to no let myself get too swept up in the nerves and focused on the excitement – you always see people after a skydive saying it was amazing and they’re not wrong!
Natalie added: “It was very strange in the tiny little plane getting ready to jump. The free-fall was the best bit for me – wow what an experience! I wasn’t so keen on the parachute spins we did, it felt like being on a waltzer which normally make me queasy.
“Then we came back down to earth taking in the most amazing views followed by a soft landing. I would recommend it to anyone – the skydive itself was just brilliant.”
Emma Cunliffe, supporter engagement at Rockinghorse was really amazed that these working nurses chose to put them through such an ordeal. She said: “I already thought that this group were superheroes for the amazing work they do as Paediatric HDU nurses, and then they decided to go the extra mile and jump out of a plane for us!”
So far, the group has raised more than £3,500 which will really help support so many children and young people throughout the county.
If you would like to take part in a dare-devil event like a skydive, or our next iDrop from the British Airways i360, just email us at enquiries@rockinghorse.org.uk or call 01273 330044.
