Press Release issued: 6 April 2012.
Work colleagues Lisa Reid, Suzanne Geary and Derek Rutherford hope their pledge to support their favourite charity will have strings attached!
The trio plan to make their first ever parachute jump in the skies 10,000 feet above Perthshire this June. Their aim is to raise money for the charity all three work for, the Royal National Institute of Blind People Scotland.
Lisa, from Dundee, lost her sight to diabetes in her early twenties. She and guide dog Digger commute to the charity's Edinburgh headquarters every day where she works as a receptionist.
"I always fancied making a parachute jump but didn't think I would ever do it," says Lisa. "But after talking to Suzanne and Derek we decided to just go for it. I have always had contact with RNIB due to my sight problems. Working for them has shown me even more how much the charity does for clients, and I'm very proud to be part of it."
Suzanne, who works alongside Lisa as a receptionist, agrees. "I feel that if I am going to raise funds for charity, I might as well do something spectacular. I did paragliding many years ago, and have always toyed with the idea of taking it further and doing a parachute jump. Once we decided we would go for it and do a jump we thought we might as well use the opportunity to raise money for a good cause."
Derek has worked for RNIB Scotland as resource centre manager for over 20 years. "I will generally try anything once and leapt at the chance of doing a tandem parachute jump," he says. "Having been with RNIB Scotland for so long I appreciate just how much the service provides. There has been talk of creating a sensory garden project at our headquarters in Hillside Crescent and we would love the money raised to go to something like this."
Every day in Scotland, around ten people begin to lose their sight. But at present RNIB Scotland can only support one in three people who need its help most, and is very dependent on support from the public.
Suzanne, Lisa and Derek have been collecting sponsors from friends, family and colleagues, as well as the taxi firms Lisa uses to get to work and Derek's pool team. They are also using an online Just Giving page.
"So far we are doing really well," says Suzanne. "We are also planning to do other fundraising activities within our office such as a tombola."
If all goes to plan, the trio will make the jump from Errol airfield in Perthshire on Saturday, June 2nd. Digger, Lisa's guide dog, however, will be keeping all four paws firmly on the ground!
Derek admits to feeling apprehensive. "I am trying not to think about the jump at the moment, I just hope it will be a good experience. I am not sure how I will feel on the actual day, but I am hoping for a safe landing!"
Lisa says: "I am feeling pretty nervous about the actual jump, but very excited at the same time. I have never done anything like this before so I don't know what to expect. I hope all goes well and really am looking forward to the whole experience. I think!"
Suzanne says: "My own personal feelings about the jumping out of a plane swing wildly, from very excited, to apprehensive, to sheer terror!"
You can sponsor Lisa, Suzanne and Derek at www.justgiving.com/3MadMonkeys