Would-be skydiver Olive, 79, grounded

A 79-year-old Selsey woman was left in floods of tears after being told it was not safe for her to jump out of a plane for charity.

Olive Powell had geared up for the jump and was moments away from taking the plunge before her instructor halted her because she did not complete some exercises correctly.

'I got to the airfield in Salisbury and I was going to be the second one up there. I got all the gear on and then had to do some exercises,' said Olive, of East Bank.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

'I had to lie on my back and then on my front and hold my legs in the air '“ but I couldn't do it. You have no idea how devastated I was, I cried buckets. I want to thank everybody for their generosity.'

So far Olive has raised 744 for Help for Heroes. The charity looks after wounded soldiers who are fighting or have fought for our country. She hopes to reach her target of raising 1,000.

Angela Kendall of the Army Parachute Association wrote to Olive shortly after she was due to take her jump.

She said: 'It is with regret that I confirm our decision not to take you for a tandem skydive. We are always extremely reluctant to stop anyone from enjoying the tandem experience, however there are certain risks attached to the sport, one of which is injury on landing.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

'Our instructor's opinion, having assessed your mobility while applying your tandem harness, is that it would be unwise for you to participate in the sport.

'If you were unable to raise your legs sufficiently on landing, the repercussions for ankles, legs, and even hips and pelvis could be devastating.'

To make a donation log on to www.justgiving.com/jennifer-powell

Related topics: