Well done Maria and many thanks - a great result!

On 2nd July Maria Hobbs made a sponsored tandem skydive for three charities, one of which is the Rarer Cancers Forum.  She has raised an amazing £717 for the RCF.  This is a magnificent result and will help the RCF to go on developing and doing more to help people with rarer cancers. Thank you Maria, a million times.

Why Maria made the skydive

Maria was diagnosed with a rare spinal cord tumour in 2001 and following emergency surgery she was left paralysed from the waist down for several months.  She still finds it difficult to walk but she uses a mobility scooter to get around.  She is also "terrified of heights" but she was determined to do this sponsored skydive to help her special charities and despite some initial health and safety concerns she was given the all clear to make the skydive.

Last-minute setbacks

On the day of the skydive there was a thunderstorm and sheet lightning and Maria thought she might not be able to make the skydive.  But the storm passed and the sun came out and it became very hot.  But then there was another potential setback. A certain amount of wind speed was needed to reduce the impact on Maria's spine on landing, and for a time the wind wasn't right.  At last, though, the wind speed picked up and everything was set for Maria to make her skydive.

Maria takes to the skies .... and dives for her charities!

Maria was taken up above the clouds to 10,000 feet and for the first time she noticed her heart pattering rather faster then usual!  But as part of her training she had been told to focus on something as she made the skydive and so she did just that - she focused on why she was doing the skydive and why she wanted to raise money for her charities.  So there was Maria, at 10,000 feet thinking of the RCF and her other two charities!

Maria wore a regulation boiler suit for the skydive and over it a non-regulation T-shirt displaying the names of her charities!  This was a hot outfit but as she made her dive she enjoyed the cooling air.  By now she'd forgotten her fears and could make the most of this wonderful experience.

News item from the Bridgwater Times (photo courtesy of skydiveukltd.com)

Great support for Maria

Maria had great support from family and friends and she says the skydive staff were "fantastic".  They looked after her very well and took special precautions to reduce the impact on her spine when she landed.  Maria also greatly appreciated the support she received from her local newspaper, the Bridgwater Times.  And of course, many thanks to everyone who supported Maria by sponsoring her.