TEN plucky fundraisers took the plunge in the last of Phyllis Tuckwell’s 2015 skydives at the Airfield Camp at Netheravon, Wiltshire, while raising money for the local hospice care charity.

Organised and run by the Army Parachute Association, the skydives were held at the UK’s largest drop zone. Attached to a tandem instructor, each of the skydivers jumped from 12,000 feet, experiencing free fall speeds in excess of 120 miles per hour before the instructor deployed the parachute canopy to begin the gentle five-minute descent to the landing zone.

One of the fundraising skydivers said: “Wow, what an amazing experience. I’m still on a high and I can’t stop talking about it. I’m so glad I had the chance to raise money for such a good cause and would gladly do it again.”

“It was wizard” said another “I get the biggest grin inside and out at the thought that I was a speck above the clouds”.

Fiona Chapman, events fundraiser at Phyllis Tuckwell said:“We are very grateful to all those who have taken part in our skydives this year. This year our supporters have raised over £23,000 from these skydives, all of which will go towards funding the supportive and end-of-life care which we offer our patients and their families.

“As the NHS/Government only covers 20 per cent of our costs, we have to raise over £15,000 a day to be able to provide all of our care, which is why fundraising events such as these skydives are so important.”

To take part in the next skydive, taking place on Saturday, March 19, 2016, call 01252 729446 or email [email protected] to register now. Registration £50, minimum sponsorship £450.