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Daring Network Rail team raise £10,000 for St. Thomas’ Lupus Trust by jumping out of plane
Rachel Swinnerton - Filmed by Redek Wlazo - Credit: Archant
A team of 20 Network Rail staff traded in their train tickets for a plane ticket on Friday to raise £10,000 in aid of St. Thomas’ Lupus Trust.
Chris Ellington - Filmed by Chris Sears - Credit: Archant
The employees were challenged to jump out of a plane at Sibson Airfield in Peterborough after one of their colleagues was diagnosed with lupus last August.
Lee Horwood, who took part in the skydive, said: “It didn´t quite seem like it was happening until I watched my friend hanging out the door of the plane.
“One moment he was there and then the next he dropped and was gone in an instant.”
Chris Ellington - Filmed by Chris Sears - Credit: Archant
Another employee, Chris Ellington, said: “That was amazing.
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“It was nothing like I thought it would be, but it really makes you feel alive.
“I just want to go up and do a second one now!”
Chris Ellington - Filmed by Chris Sears - Credit: Archant
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Originally the date of the jump was the 12th of August but after British weather played it´s part it had to be re-booked. Nevertheless our daredevils were not to be derailed by the weather and turned up at Sibson Airfield ready to go.
Rachel Swinnerton, who helped organise the event, said: “I thought it was awesome.
“I loved the freefall part and I´d do it again in a heartbeat.”
Redek Wlazo and Rachel Swinnerton - Credit: Archant
Four of the team are now looking to continue in the sport and get skydiving licenses.
The St. Thomas’ Lupus Trust is a registered charity dedicated to raising funds to support the work of the Lupus Research Team and the patient unit at St. Thomas Hospital.
To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Network-Rail-Ely-Depot or for more information about skydiving at Sibson Airfield visit www.skydivesibson.co.uk
Shane Cole - Filmed by Justin Otpadara - Credit: Archant
