Police take to the sky for charity
12 September 2007
A team of Sussex police officers have taken the idea of putting their lives on the line to new heights – all in the name of charity.
Eight members of the Force Major Crime Branch leapt out of a plane on Bank Holiday Monday in August, free-falling from a height of two miles at speeds of up to 120 kilometres per hour.
The team, which included Darren Graysmark, Amanda Stroud, Dean Tuting, Clinton Novelle, Steve Edwards, Nick Jones, Kevin Homewood and Simon Bates are attempting to raise £25,000 for The Royal Marsden Cancer Campaign.
DC Darren Graysmark said when the team gathered ahead of the jump there was a mixture of excitement, nerves and a few prayers being muttered.
“Once in the aircraft the realisation of what we were about to do hit home and conversation was the last thing on our minds” he said.
But he said they all managed to pluck up the courage and dive out of the plane.
“The feeling is indescribable”.
One team member, Kevin Homewood, ended up free-falling a little further than anticipated when his main parachute failed, but thankfully the reserve chute brought him safely down to earth.
Darren thanked all those who have donated their money and time to the cause.
“So far we have raised nearly £7,200 – a third of our target”
But the team isn’t stopping there. Their next challenge is to take part in the gruelling, 10 mile, BUPA Great South Run on 28 October.
Anyone wishing to sponsor the team can make a donation at www.justgiving.com/copsthattrot
The team are fund-raising to honour their colleague DC Tina Braiden who was bravely battling cancer. Sadly Tina lost her fight earlier this month.