Charity worker’s skydive for bereaved children

Local mum Vikki Parkes has successfully completed her first skydive – and raised funds for East Grinstead charity

A local charity worker completed her first skydive on Saturday 29 April along with her friend Rebecca Osborne  in an effort to raise much-needed funds for East-Grinstead-based Jigsaw (South East) which is based in East Court in.

The brave group took off from Headcorn airfield at 1pm on Saturday afternoon, climbing to 12,000 feet – 2.25 miles – above the Kent countryside before leaping into the blue yonder from their light aircraft to experience the thrill of free falling for 30-40 seconds before activating the parachute. As all the participants were beginners, each person was attached to an instructor as part of a tandem skydive.

Vikki Parkes, who works as a swimming instructor as also part-time as a training coordinator for Jigsaw, said:

“Wow what an amazing experience and not as scary as I’d imagined.  We started with a 45 minute briefing and then after a few hours of waiting and watching others jump we were kitted out.  The flight took about 20 minutes to get to 12000 but once in position you didn’t have time to worry as they had us jumping very quickly.  My Instructor Peter was brilliant and explained everything clearly and kept me calm.  The view was incredible and I would highly recommend to anyone.  Maybe I’ll organize another jump in the near future.”

So far the team has raised £900 for the charity, which supports children and young people who have a family member with a serious, life-limiting condition. It also provides grief support to children and young people who have experienced the death of a significant family member through illness, accident, suicide or murder (through groups in Reigate and Guildford and East Grinstead).

Nickey Price Jigsaw (South East)’s Operations Manager said:

“We are delighted that Vikki chose to raise funds for us – and are all extremely impressed with the way that she opted to do so. Without brave supporters and fundraisers such as Vikki, we really wouldn’t be able to continue reaching out to bereaved families across Surrey and parts of West Sussex as well as those facing the devastating loss of a loved one through serious, life-threatening illness. Thank you Vikki!”

Based at East Court Mansion in East Grinstead since 2006, the charity offers

support to children and young people who have a family member with a serious, life-limiting condition. It also provides grief support to children and young people who have experienced the death of a significant family member through illness, accident, suicide or murder (through groups in Reigate and Guildford and East Grinstead).

Sponsor Vikki here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Vikki-Parkes