Untitled Document

~ Emma Paterson ~

Earlier this year I read an article in the Living locally magazine appealing for volunteers to help walk dogs at the Hound Hotel for R.A.T.S, being an animal lover I was really keen to help out an animal charity. I would love to have a dog but don’t have the time so this was the next best thing, after a few months of dog walking I was hooked!

I decided that I wanted to do something to raise money to help the dogs I saw every week and also the other animals looking for homes. I had always wanted to do a skydive so I thought this would be the perfect opportunity.

Emma Paterson

At 8 am on the 4th July I arrived at the North London Parachute centre near Chatteris to complete my skydive. Several of my family members and friends came to watch me. Whilst waiting for my turn I was really nervous (especially when I saw how high the plane was!) but I knew that I couldn’t let the animals down, after 8 hours it was finally my turn to jump.

Going up in the plane was quite scary but the instructors tried to put our minds at ease. We took about 20 minutes to get to height approx 10,000ft! and then it was time to go, we shuffled down the plane and one by one went out of the door. We jumped through the clouds and were freefalling for about 35 seconds before the parachute opened, once this happens you get a brilliant view plus you’re able to wave at everyone watching below.

I would definitely say its one of the greatest experiences I have had, the freefall really takes your breath away but aside from the adrenalin rush the most rewarding part of this experience is that thanks to everyone’s kind donations I’ve managed to raise £800 for R.A.T.S, hopefully this will make a real difference to the animals looking for loving homes.

Emma Paterson

Back to Supporters Stories