Page 6 - RADC Bulletin 2018

CHARITY
Charity Skydive
SSgt Slade-Jones RADC
Ever since completing a basic parachute course I have longed to experience free- fall and the feeling of dropping through the sky, so I figured if I am going to do it then why not do it for a good cause.
I chose to support The Vine Centre in Aldershot as it was a local charity aimed at helping vulnerable and homeless people. The Vine Centre’s aims are to reduce social isolation, to facilitate change and to improve the quality of life of those individuals. My hope was that the money I raised would go a little way in supporting the much needed help that is provided by this charity.
On Sat 8 Jul 17 I arrived at the Army Parachute Association, Netheravon Airfield, in order to begin my ground training, get sized up with the equipment and paired with an instructor. The training primarily teaches you about the body positions which you need to adopt so that you do not interfere with your instructor’s drills when exiting the plane as well as lifting your legs when you come in to land but, more importantly, to make sure you enjoy yourself!
It was a clear day and the flights began early. We also had a cameraman filming and taking pictures throughout the set up and jump.
When the time was ready I walked with my instructor to enter the small plane. As we were last in, it could only mean one thing.... we were first out!! The plane then started up and, looking around, it offered green faces and looks of sheer panic! The cameraman regularly showed me the altimeter and asked how I felt. Oddly, at no point did I feel nervous, I just felt a wave of excitement and anticipation. When the door opened at 13,000ft the wind came rattling around inside the plane and around all of us. My instructor and I then made our way to the edge of the door and I soon figured that I didn’t have much say in this relationship! That was the only time when my stomach moved to my throat as I was hanging
forward out of the plane whilst my instructor was getting set to exit. With a countdown of three down to one, we were out! We did a roll forward and sideward, and before I knew it we were in the skydiving position. Once settled, the instructor tapped me on to the shoulder to let me know it was safe for me to also put my hands out. That feeling
of free-fall was everything I had hoped it would be and more, the free fall lasted for 45 seconds (dropping a total of 7000ft) and I was gutted when the chute had to be opened in order to start our landing.
Prior to starting the jump I was cheeky enough to ask Jenks, my instructor, if I could take control of the handles and steer the parachute myself once he had completed his checks. Happily, he allowed it (but obviously keeping overall control) and,
along with the 360° spirals, added another dimension to the jump.
As we came in to land I did as instructed and got my legs up high, however, as the grass was slightly wet, when Jenks’ feet hit the ground we slid forward slamming my coccyx! It was lucky I was still riding off adrenaline!
At the end we took plenty of photos and watched the other jumpers come in to land. The Army Parachute Association is clearly a well-oiled machine as I arrived for 0800hrs and I was back down on the ground by 1010hrs!
After what was an amazing day it was time to count up the money for The Vine Centre. In total I raised £473.51 and I was over the moon!
Should anyone be interested in raising money and supporting The Vine Centre please contact Mary Webb, Head of Corporate & Community Liaison, The Vine Centre - Aldershot, 07502 543375, www.thevinecentre.org.uk, mary.webb@ thevinecentre.org.uk
4 RADC BULLETIN 2018