Kevin chose to skydive to raise funds for Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance on his 70th birthday by doing a charity tandem skydive!

On 25th April, I completed a tandem skydive at Old Sarum Airfield near Salisbury. I was very nervous as I’m not one for heights, however, I had to do something totally mad and out of character to capture people’s imagination and inspire them to donate to my chosen charity for my 70th birthday.

The Go Skydive staff were excellent and I would recommend skydiving to anyone that wants a challenge. The maximum height that you can jump from is 15,000 feet, however, I jumped from 10,000 feet and was freefalling at 125mph; this was only for 30 seconds but it felt like a lifetime. The views were truly amazing and we also fell through a cloud! Once I had completed the skydive and recovered, I felt good, but I’d never ever do it again!

I initially set a fundraising target of £500 but donations quickly exceeded that and reached £1,000. I increased my target with the hope of raising £1,500, which I’m delighted to say has now been reached.

I decided to raise funds for Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance for three reasons. Firstly, my son Stuart Cox is one of their critical care practitioners and I’m very proud of the work that he and his colleagues do. Secondly, because the service was recently called to a bus incident in Corfe Mullen and I knew the young lady that was taken to hospital. Finally, I never know if they might be called to help me or a member of my family, so anything that I can do to help raise awareness has got to be good for everyone.

Next year I’m planning to do a glider flight, which will add nicely to the other aerial challenges that I have already completed, I can’t wait!

Fancy taking on the challenge and skydiving for Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance? If you want to take on the challenge and skydive for Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, we work in partnership with two companies, Skydive.Buzz and Go Skydive. Both offer thrill-seekers an opportunity to combine the most exciting and exhilarating moment of their lives, with raising funds for our life-saving charity. Want to book one today or find out more? Just visit: www.dsairambulance.org.uk/skydive