Fay’s Skydive Story
“When I’d landed, if someone had said the plane was going to go up again and there was a space for me, I would have gone straight back up and done it again!”
For Fay, a skydive had always been on her bucket list, and choosing to support SARSAS felt like a no brainer. Despite feeling excited and ready to take on the challenge, there was one brief moment when the nerves kicked in!
We spoke to Fay about her experience, and what it’s really like to jump out of a plane!
So, Fay, what inspired you to do the skydive?
Well, I’ve always wanted to do it. A skydive was definitely something on my bucket list, so it was just finding the right time. A friend of mine, who is just as crazy as me, wanted to do one too so it was perfect that we could do it together.
When it came to choosing charities, SARSAS is really close to my heart. SARSAS helps many people through difficult times and offers so much support through their counselling services that are truly invaluable. I’ve also posted a few Facebook ‘donate your birthday’ events for SARSAS, so it was amazing to do this for the charity too.
It feels important on a few different levels – one is to raise awareness and to talk about it, to talk about what people go through; two is to let people know that there is support out there; and three is that anything to get the funding for a cause like this is so important.
Have you ever done anything like a skydive before?
[Laughing] No, it’s completely new to me! I did an abseil on holiday once, but I’ve never done anything like this before.
How did you find the fundraising?
I mean, I was completely blown away by the amount of money people donated. Everyone was amazing. I also found that the JustGiving page was so easy to set up. All I did was put up a few posts about it on social media and the response was amazing.
I felt really fortunate that I could pay to do the jump and then choose the charities I wanted to support. For people who can’t pay for it, there can be a real pressure on the fundraising side, so for anyone thinking of doing it, really think about what works for you.
What was it like getting ready for the skydive?
Well, firstly it got postponed once because of the weather! So, I’d say to anyone thinking of doing one, be ready for things to change.
It was then rescheduled, but we actually got contacted early in the morning the day before that date to see if we could be up there in an hour and a half to do it! It was a mad rush to get everyone up there and in the car but we made it!
Because it was a rush, it almost didn’t give time for the nerves to kick in. I wasn’t really nervous about it at all, I was excited and really looking forward to it.
What was the experience like on the day?
We met with our families there, and it was amazing because even with the short notice lots of friends and other people were able to make it there to support us.
Getting ready for it we had a really in depth safety briefing, and we were getting told about all the different heights you can go from – 7,000 feet, 10,000 feet, even 15,000 feet. We found out that Dunkeswell, where we did it, is the highest airfield in England because of how high above sea level it is. It was mad to think about!
Obviously, there were lots of checks of paperwork and insurance and things like that, and then you’re fitted with your yellow overalls and goggles. We were shown the room where the parachutes are packed, which was absolutely amazing. A little detail I loved was that you get a slip with a picture of your parachute on it, so your friends and family know which colour to look out for when you jump, how nice is that?
After that basically there’s a plane and then there you go! The team are talking to you as you go, and at one point you come up through the clouds at 2,000 feet and we just kept going up!
You get clipped in to your instructor, and then when it’s time to jump you just have to kneel on the side of the plane! This was the only time I got nervous because when you’re waiting there, the instructor lifts you off the floor a little bit. That little lift made me nervous, but then the wind hits your face and you’re fine, you’re doing it!
You freefall for about 60 seconds and then the parachute gets pulled at 5,000 feet. It was amazing.
Afterwards there was a shuttle bus that brings everyone to the land site, so you can see all your family and friends.
I loved it, it was just amazing.
How did you feel afterwards?
Well, it was amazing. You actually get to see the curve of the earth, but you do this really phenomenal thing and then for me it was straight back to Mum mode afterwards! Lunch at the restaurant on site, getting the sauces and cutlery for the children – completely back to “normal” – it was just bizarre!
What would you say to someone who is thinking about doing a skydive for the first time?
100% go for it. Without a doubt. When I’d landed, if someone had said the plane was going to go up again and there was a space, I would have gone straight back up and done it again!
If you’re inspired by Fay’s story and would like to explore ways to fundraise for SARSAS, we’d love to hear from you! Every effort, big or small, helps us continue our vital work. You can contact us at fundraising@sarsas.org.uk or check out our fundraising page.
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