On Saturday, June 20, I finally achieved something that had been on my bucket list for years, completing a skydive from 10,000 feet.
Even better, I got to share the experience with my son, Tyler, while raising money for a cause that means so much to both of us, Ab Phab Youth Club.
I had always wanted to do a skydive, but if I'm honest, I was a little scared.
As I approached my 50th birthday, I decided it was time to step outside of my comfort zone and take on a challenge I would never forget.
The opportunity to raise money for Ab Phab, where I am deputy manager, gave me the extra motivation I needed.
Supporting young people with disabilities has always been close to my heart.
My mum spent many years working with young people with disabilities, and her dedication inspired me from an early age.
I have worked closely with Ab Phab for the past 15 years and have seen first-hand the positive difference the club makes to the lives of local young people and their families.
The skydive itself was delayed twice due to bad weather, which was frustrating at the time.
However, the postponements gave us extra time to raise funds, and thanks to the incredible support from family, friends, and the local community, we raised over an amazing £3,200.
It was an unforgettable experience, and knowing it will help support Ab Phab Youth Club made it even more worthwhile.
On the day, I was surprised to learn that I would be the first person jumping from the plane.
My sky dive guru, Leigh, from North London Skydiving Centre, was fantastic and put me at ease.
As we reached 10,000 feet, the nerves kicked in, but there was no turning back.
The air was cold and I could feel the force of the wind as I jumped out of the plane.
Before I knew it, we had jumped.
The freefall was the most liberating feeling I have ever experienced.
When the parachute deployed, my stomach flipped, but then everything became calm.
Leigh even spun us through a 360-degree turn, and I could see beautiful rainbows appearing in the clouds below.
We then enjoyed a peaceful glide back to earth before making a perfect landing.
It was an incredible experience and one I would do again in a heartbeat.
- Kelly Nicholls is deputy manager of Ab Phab Youth Club (abphabyouthclub.org.uk).
Share