Skydivers drop in to help charity

GEOFF SIMON TAKES THE PLUNGE

More than 100 islanders took a 160ft leap at the weekend in an attempt to gain the ultimate rush.

But it was all in a good cause with the proceeds of their SCAD dives going to Aid Reaching Children.

The bungee without a rope craze is addictive too – some let themselves jump out of the air for a hat-trick of times once the initial buzz above the Guernsey Rugby Club pitch at Foote’s Lane had died down.

Having hurtled out of the air for the charity myself last year I had a good idea of why so many had butterflies before being hauled upwards.

For those like me who are scared of heights the whole experience is a rather frightening one.

All those who completed the jump received diplomas. They performed their own choice leap from the high platform.

Their only touch with reality was a net – a Suspended Catch Air Device – SCAD.

‘Its been a successful weekend and we are pleased with it and we would like to thank everybody for supporting us,’ said A.R.C founder and local event organiser Linda Garnham yesterday afternoon.

‘It’s been a great response today and once people have been up once they have wanted to do it again.’

She was confident the event had raised thousands of pounds. ‘ The atmosphere has been pretty good and everyone is in a happy mood. Everyone that has been up has enjoyed it. The biggest rush is when you are first released and the next thing you are dropping like a stone. When you drop it takes literally two seconds to hit the net. But when you’re up there it sees like a fortnight.’