HCPT - The Pilgrim Trust

Imagine standing at the edge of an open doorway in an aircraft flying at 10,000 feet - the noise of the engines and the wind ringing in your ears with only the outline of the fields below. Now imagine leaning forward out of that doorway and simply letting go - falling forward into the clouds, diving down through the air as your start freefalling at over 120mph!

Then imagine the peace and quiet as the canopy opens, the steering toggles come down either side of you and you begin a tranquil parachute descent from a mile up in the air, steering yourself back down to the centre of the drop zone below.

Well two St Thomas More, North Shields 6th formers, Sophie McKenna and Ryder Buchanan dont have to imagine - they did just that.

They jumped at a private airport near Peterlee, Durham in order to raise money for the HCPT Pilgrimage to Lourdes. The two of them made over £600 between them, enough to pay for one child with special needs to fo on a respite holiday to Lourdes. Sophie said it was "an absolutely amazing experience" - but she was really scared. She added that she was "buzzing to do it for such a good cause."

Ryder said that he just couldnt wait to do another jump and was really thrilled to overcome his fear of jumping, adding, "i thought i was going to be sick!"