Browse Sections
Interactive
Popular Sections
Rather cloudyNews
| 
Submit Comments
Watch video (1 clips)
DEPUTY editor Michael Byrne comes into land
Daring duo take the plunge
16/ 4/2007
THROWING caution and superstition to the wind the Advertiser's daring duo have completed their skydive to raise £4,500 for charity.
Advertiser Deputy Editor, Michael Byrne and reporter Vicki Holman's skydiving hopes were dashed when high winds kept them grounded on Saturday, March 17.
But thankfully nothing went wrong this time, despite the skydive falling on Friday the 13th - the unluckiest date in the calendar according to superstition.
After being hurled out of the plane at 14,000ft, the pair were in free-fall at 120mph for 30 seconds, before their parachutes opened at 5000ft and they slowed right down for the remaining eight minute descent and landed on their feet.
The skydivers began the 'Jumping for Jean' fundraising campaign in November and have already raised upwards of £4,500 for Mayor Jean Hornby's sponsored charities Scope, the cerebral palsy charity, and mental health charity, Mind. This means once the skydives are paid for the pair will be able to give about £4,000 to the charity.
Councillor Hornby said: "I'm really so thrilled that they have managed to do it and relieved that they are both safe and sound. I sent Michael an email thanking them both because their dedication, not just in doing the jump but the work we have put in to fund raising, has been fantastic. I'm over the moon.
"I was quite emotional on Friday, in the morning my mind kept going onto it. I was so relieved that they could do the jump but overriding that I was hoping that everything would be alright."
The pair both attended a half hour training course before being kitted up to board the Pilatus Porter aeroplane, which was flying at 90 miles per hour when the duo jumped out at 14,000-ft.
Vicki was up first, when she piled into the plane attached to her instructor Chris Miller's harness, along with boyfriend Simon, who was doing a tandem skydive with his instructor Jason Snailham, two free fall skydivers and two camera men. Michael landed later.
They are still collecting money for the appeal so if anyone would like to make a donation they can call Vicki or Michael on 01706 360626. They will also be collecting the money from those who have kindly pledged cash already.
Read more in this week's Advertiser - and see a video of Michael and Vicki's skydives (with Vicki providing commentary) by clicking on the link below …
Most recent 2 of 4 user comments
25/04/2007 at 16:01
Got an opinion you want to share?| Card | BT Fee |
| Virgin Credit Card | 2.98% |
| Capital One BT Platinum Card | 3.0% |
| Egg Card | 3.0% |
| Tesco Bonus Credit Card | 2.9% |
| Capital One BT Exclusive | 3.0% |
| Company | Typical APR |
| Platinum Exclusive Loan | 7.5% |
| Moneyback Bank | 7.8% |
| Barclays | 7.9% |
| Sainsbury's Personal Loan | 8.5% |
| Halifax (Semi-exclusive) | 8.6% |
| Bank of Scotland (Semi-exclusive) | 8.6% |
| Alliance & Leicester | 8.7% |
| Provider | AER* |
|
SAINSBURYS FINANCE Internet Saver |
5.50% |
|
ING DIRECT Savings Account |
6.50% |
|
TESCO PERSONAL FINANCE Internet Saver |
6.50% |
|
CITIBANK Flexible Saver Issue 4 |
6.43% |
|
ABBEY Instant Access Saver (Special Issue 2) |
6.30% |
|
EGG BANKING PLC Egg Savings Account (Internet) |
6.30% |
|
ALLIANCE & LEICESTER eSaver - Issue 2 |
6.60% |
|
HALIFAX Web Saver Extra |
6.00% |
|
ABBEY eSaver Direct |
6.50% |
|
BRITANNIA BS DirectSaver Reserve Account |
6.25% |
1/09/2007 at 10:20