Member Paul Milross from Sussex,  was keen to help charities like Calibre Audio Library who have provided support for him. Determined not to let his lack of vision be an obstacle, brave Paul decided that a parachute jump was the way to do this. Paul shares with us here a few words about this memorable experience:-

"On Monday 3rd September 2012, I was delighted to be able to complete a skydive at Headcorn airfield in Kent on behalf of several charities including Calibre. I arrived on a very cloudy morning to be told that if the weather remained cloudy then the jump would not happen. My stomach was churning enough without this news! However by lunch time the clouds had disappeared, giving way to a beautiful blue sky and warm sunshine. The jump was on. I was suited and booted accordingly and led to the plane.

It took 15 minutes to ascend 12000 feet and 6 and a half minutes to descend! Half of the jump was done in freefall which I wasn’t expecting.

It was a totally exhilarating experience and one I will never forget. It was so different to how I imagined, not cold and I have never experienced silence like it. I was even able to chat at normal volume with my instructor who was excellent and gave me an audio commentary every step or should I say fall of the way. He even let me steer the parachute.

All in all I am absolutely delighted to have been able to give a little something back to Calibre and other charities for the major impact that their work has had on my life. At the moment my total raised is hovering around the £1000.00 mark and includes a very generous donation from one of Calibre’s patrons, Anne Fine, who has also become a personal friend."

Congratulations to Paul from all at Calibre. We are impressed that you rose to this challenge(!) and delighted you landed safely