I worked for KLM Royal Dutch Airlines for nigh on 20 years and never thought of jumping out of an aircraft that wasn’t firmly on the ground.   Many of you will know me from my days working as an IT Trainer within the NHS, Verwood Bowling Club and service associations the Royal British Legion, Royal Signals Association and the Royal Navy Association.  Particularly my work as a Standard Bearer for the Legion and Signals Associations. 

My work as a Standard Bearer brings me into contact with many veterans of all services and particularly honoured to help with the ceremonial procedures for veteran’s funerals. Earlier this year I was involved with the “Pompey Paras” at the commemoration at Portsmouth Cathedral of D-day veteran Arthur Bailey. A seed was sown that I wouldn’t mind trying a Tandem parachute jump.

Just 5 weeks before my 79th birthday I accompanied by my son Carl from Hastings will do a tandem skydive at the Army Parachute Association (APA) site at Netheravon, Wiltshire on Friday the 29th September with all donations going to Verwood Concert Brass. The jump will be from an altitude of approximately 2 miles (13500ft) and will be free fall 45-50 seconds and then 5 minutes gliding down under the canopy (parachute) connected via a harness to an instructor.

 I together with many Verwood residents are immensely proud of our community band(s) Verwood Concert Brass (VCB). My wife and I have been supporters and sponsors more or less since we moved to Verwood 12 yrs ago. VCB have been fund raising for their Band Hall which has suffered significant subsidence  and still requires a substantial amount to meet the projected cost involved. Check out the VCB website for all their up to date information.

Our efforts are just a drop in the ocean to what is needed but every donation to our JustGiving.com "Brassed-Off-Skydive" page is so warmly appreciated by our friends at VCB.

Please be generous and share with all your contacts, particularly within the service organisations and the many band and musical contacts that you may have. 

Credits:The Army Parachute Association, www.netheravon.com, for permission to use the picture above. Verwood Surgery, for my medical advice and certification. Verwood Concert Brass, for their support. www.verwoodconcertbrass.co.uk

Update: Having just passed the first £1000 lap we are moving on to the next. Carl & I want to say how humbled we are by your generosity and the wonderful comments.

As the date gets nearer, keep thinking of us.

Share Share Share.

THANK YOU

Norman  & Carl Pearce