A COUPLE recently took the plunge from 13,000ft to help raise £10,000 for a children’s hospice.

Husband and wife duo Andy and Caroline Jackson joined 17 other daredevils leaping out of a plane in support of Naomi House & Jacksplace.

The couple wanted to further help the charity which Andy works for as an IT manager, so decided to join the group on their trip to the Army Parachute Association in Netheravon, Wiltshire where the skydive took place.

Andy said: “I was absolutely terrified but, before I knew it, we were out of the plane and falling.

“I opened my eyes as we fell between the clouds and the view was incredible. I’ve never had an experience quite like a freefall; it was a completely surreal, unique feeling. I absolutely loved it.

“The whole experience felt like it was over in a matter of seconds! If you’ve always wanted to do a skydive, you owe it to yourself to sign up – you won’t regret it.

“I’m itching to give it another shot.”

Alongside Andy and Caroline was Lynn Wright, who works for Hook-based Freestyle IT.

Lynn decided to take part in the event as part of her company’s fundraising initiative for Naomi House & Jacksplace, alongside her colleague, Paige Bryne.

She added: “It was incredible. I couldn’t quite get my head around how I could throw myself out of a plane - strapped to a very nice, calm and professional instructor - but it was amazing.

“The set up at Netheravon is fabulous; all the staff were wonderful and very pro charity fundraising.”

Each of the charities supporters were aided by instructors from the Army Parachute Association, before freefalling at 120mph.

The money raised from this event is enough to fund 10 social outings for the young adults at Jacksplace, which are designed to help them develop their socialisation skills and make new friends. It could also pay for more than two months’ worth of vital nursing care for a seriously ill child or young adult.

The next charity skydive in support of Naomi House & Jacksplace is scheduled to take place on Sunday, August 16 2020.

To sign up to take the leap for Naomi House & Jacksplace or to find out more, visit: naomihouse.org.uk/skydive.