THROWING herself into thin air from 10,000 feet is just one of the ways in which a Tenbury mum is supporting a charity in memory of her son.
Weather permitting Sue Millichip will jump from an aircraft at two miles high on Saturday (September 5).
She hopes to raise £1,000 in memory of the charity set up to help others in memory of her son Adam.
Adam, who was 27 at the time, was killed in a tragic accident at work in 2007 leaving a young son.
His family and friends decided that they should do something to ensure that some good came from the tragedy and to help commemorate Adam’s memory.
The result was the Adam Millichip Foundation that has raised tens of thousands of pounds to help people with disabilities and challenges to get involved in sport and other leisure activities.
All kinds of fund raising events are held range from small scale cake stall sales to larger events like the very popular and successful annual golf day held every spring at the Cleobury Mortimer Golf Club.
Parachute jumping is another way to boost funds as well as providing a special adrenalin boost to people who people who enjoy the exhilaration of free fall before they float gently to the ground on a parachute strapped to an experienced jumper.
This is what Sue, aged 60, will be doing on Saturday in the skies above Cirencester.
“I have never done a parachute jump before and so am really looking forward to it,” said Sue.
“No doubt there will be a few butterflies when we actually go through the door of my aircraft but my biggest fear is being strapped to a very big man and getting crushed when we land.”
Although Sue has not jumped before there will be two hours basic training in issues such as how to land before the aircraft takes off.
The time between leaving the aircraft and reaching the ground is just 40 seconds but although that is not very long it leaves memories that will last a lifetime.
There are many different ways in which the Adam Millichip Fundation has helped to enrich the lives of disadvantaged people over the past eight years.
In one case a young women was provided with a special bike that was needed because of her disabilities and this enables her to get out and about with family and friends.
Another cycling related activity enabled someone to ride with others from London to Paris and back.
The Foundation has also enabled people to enjoy the thrill of riding and also to take part in swimming and other water sports.
So far the biggest single grant of £5,275.00 was made to Jane Barker who is group organiser for the Perry Riding for the Disabled Group in Baschurch near Shrewsbury.
This grant allows the group to purchase a Fenix 4 wheeler carriage which will enable a large amount of people with varying disabilities to drive and ride horses including those in wheelchairs.
The Adam Millichip Foundation has a website with lots more information including details about how people can get involved.