Amy is a self-confessed dedicated thrill seeker, who loved her skydiving experience at Netheravon in Wiltshire
Of all the ways to fundraise to support Cancer Support UK, skydiving captures the imagination like no other, offering an intoxicating adrenalin fuelled thrill. There are scientific reasons, too, why people who skydive, often feel compelled to repeat the experience.
When we skydive, our adrenaline levels are heightened. Our body goes into the ‘fight or flight’ response that means all of our senses are sharper and more alert. Our hearts beat faster and everything seems to happen in slow motion. It helps us to take in a lot of information at once, but also to really focus on the things that matter.
It’s this adrenaline rush that leads to increased serotonin levels too – that’s our body’s ‘happy hormone’ – which fills you with intense happiness. Adrenaline is highly addictive and people love the rush it gives them…
Once the parachute opened, Amy recalls feeling calm and quiet as she slowly made her way towards the ground
One person who decided to put to the test everything she had heard about skydiving, is Amy Yates. With a passion for rollercoasters and paragliding, Amy is a self-confessed dedicated thrill seeker.
“I have never heard anyone say they didn’t enjoy skydiving and the itch of wanting to experience it outweighed my fears.”
Cancer Support UK offers you the chance to skydive and raise vital funds to help us support people living with and beyond cancer. Our skydiving jumps are always tandem jumps where two people jump out of an airplane together a (one is a certified instructor and the other is a student), strapped to one another during the entire descent. The connecting straps make it so that one person is floating above the other during the freefall, with one person’s back against the other’s front side.
Amy had no difficulty choosing to skydive on behalf of Cancer Support UK. She is already a staunch participant in our annual Sh’bamathon fundraiser and has personal experience of cancer, having lost two close family friends to cancer.
“I’ve been participating in the annual fundraising Sh’bamathon since it started – it’s such a lovely group to be part of. Everyone cares so much about the charity and the people with cancer who they help.
“A friend of mine currently has cancer – it’s heart-breaking to see anyone facing this terrible disease, no matter whether they are a close friend, relative or someone you don’t even know personally.
Amy has been blown away by people’s response to her fundraising for the skydive.
“Everyone has been so supportive and it’s been lovely telling people afterwards how amazing the jump was.”
Skydiving for Cancer Support UK gives you a chance to step away from your worries and stresses and to just live in the moment. Happiness, peace, tranquility, excitement… it’s all there for you up in the sky!
The week before the jump, Amy felt excited but confident. On the actual day, though, her nerves started to creep in…However, the kind and friendly instructors helped reassure her. Plus there was plenty of information to absorb, which helped distract her.
“There is so much going on and it feels like there is loads of stuff to remember, but actually it’s all quite simple to follow. Before you know it, you are sitting harnessed in the plane.
“I found myself looking out the window and almost forgot that I was about to jump out of the plane. In no time at all, the door opened and the instructor and I inched towards it.”
The sensation of free-falling was an incredible experience as Amy discovered
The sensation of free-falling was an incredible experience. Amy recalls that it didn’t feel nearly as scary as she thought it might. “I was actually smiling! Knowing you’re strapped to someone helps you feel quite secure. Then before you know it, the parachute is open.
“It was an incredibly magical moment. It feels so calm and quiet as you slowly make your way towards the ground, while absorbing the breathtaking views.
Amy 100% recommends skydiving as an experience
Amy wholeheartedly recommends skydiving as an experience and can’t wait to do another jump.
“I am so grateful that I was able to raise money to help people impacted by cancer, while doing something I will remember forever.”
If you would like to take a leap to support Cancer Support UK, please visit our Skydiving page where you can sign up to skydive.
You can choose from a variety of airfields all across the UK, on a date of your choice.
When you turn up, you’ll undergo training in the morning, and your tandem jump will be later the same day when you’re all trained up. Don’t worry, you’ll be harnessed to an experienced instructor at all times.
If you reach a minimum fundraising target of £395, your skydive will be free. Please fill out this form to find out more.
