Charity
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Breakthrough Breast Cancer is a pioneering charity dedicated to saving lives and changing futures, through research, campaigning and education - removing the fear of breast cancer for good.
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Ann Orton's fundraising page
We made it!
Flight 002 of The Booby Birds eventually took to the air on Saturday 3 September – not without drama, as we waited for four hours for the cloud to clear. We were a breath away from a third postponement.
And the flight itself – well, it’s almost impossible to describe the experience of free-fall for about a minute and five or six with the parachute! But here goes. First you dress up in a magenta pink flying suit (not my colour but I grew to like it and went to Heathrow to pick up a friend still dressed that way – I was very tight on time – and got the appropriate reaction!) and a not-wildly-comfortable harness, helmet and goggles. Then you join your flying partner (Si is from the military and has 1,500 flights logged and lots besides) and get into a plane with a very large hole rather than a door (as a friend on the ground commented rather anxiously). Inside you sit in jumping order (we were 4 of 4), on the lap of your flying partner (yes, there are lots of ribald jokes to break the tension) strapped tightly at shoulder and hip. When your turn comes you waddle over to the door where your partner sits on the edge and you hang out in fresh air, and find yourself launched into the air almost instantaneously, alongside the camera guy jumping with you (a digital SLR and a video camera attached to his helmet). There is a first millisecond of being horizontal to the ground looking directly downwards when you realise just how very, very, very high up 10,500ft really is (the only moment I felt any anxiety)! And that you are falling!!! You eventually reach about 120mph so keeping your mouth shut helps avoid looking as though you have eaten all the cakes. But you do have to remember to smile for the cameras! And then, very quickly it seems, there’s the jerk of the parachute releasing, a more upright position, and glorious quiet – this must be the closest one gets to being a bird flying. We zoom around (yes, I try steering), enjoy the view and the other flyers below, spot the crowd on the ground and chat as we fly. Then, all too soon, there is the instruction to raise your knees, then extend your legs (I can be very compliant when I need to be!), and Si takes control of the safe landing. And it’s all over!
I would have flown again immediately given the chance. I loved it! It was challenging, exhilarating, awe-inspiring, and an extraordinary experience. There was a huge surge of emotion on our safe return with a sombre reflection of the challenging journey faced by those with breast cancer. It is such an important cause - and there is still time to contribute! With thanks for your tremendous support. Ann x
For more photos see:
Recent donors
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Anonymous £35.00 (+ £8.75 giftaid) 06.10.11 |
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Angela Ryan £50.00 28.09.11 Congratulations Ann! |
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Fivefootsix £280.00 01.09.11 |
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Sandra £100.00 30.08.11 A great achievement Ann! |
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Anonymous £330.00 (+ £82.50 giftaid) 30.08.11 |
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Anonymous £60.00 (+ £15.00 giftaid) 30.08.11 |
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David Huntley £1000.00 (+ £250.00 giftaid) 30.07.11 Go for it Ann- we're all so very proud of you. |
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Linda Feerick £1000.00 (+ £250.00 giftaid) 30.07.11 I lost my dear friend Kathryn to breast cancer at the age of 32. We missed out on so many memories. Thanks Ann for helping people and families like Kathryn. |
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Anonymous £1500.00 (+ £375.00 giftaid) 29.07.11 |
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MaNo £400.00 28.07.11 Thank you for your support Ann. I am really pleased to be able to contribute to this very worthy cause. Enjoy the ride! Maria |
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Lindsay and Robert Wood £100.00 (+ £25.00 giftaid) 28.07.11 Lots of luck for the jump! Love Lindsay and Robert |
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Mark Curtis £100.00 (+ £25.00 giftaid) 27.07.11 Very brave-good luck Ann!! |
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David and Margot £50.00 (+ £12.50 giftaid) 26.07.11 Geromimo! Lots of Love from David and Margot |
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Errica Moustaki £1000.00 (+ £250.00 giftaid) 25.07.11 Dear Ann, It has been a remarkable achievement alreay that you are reaching the target with your admirable and tireless determination, stamina and commitment to such a worthwhile cause! You are most certainly are getting there! Well Done! Love, Errica |
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tina maxwell £50.00 (+ £12.50 giftaid) 25.07.11 good luck with the jump Ann! x |
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Ros at 61 £20.00 (+ £5.00 giftaid) 24.07.11 Congrats on all your efforts. Will be thinking of you - rather you than me! |
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Liz and Andrew Harrison £25.00 (+ £6.25 giftaid) 24.07.11 The very best of luck with your jump...very brave!! |
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Darren and Nita Instrall £100.00 (+ £25.00 giftaid) 20.07.11 Best of luck Ann. You never cease to amaze us!!! Love, Darren, Nita, Louis and Mia xxxx |
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Alison & Peter £50.00 (+ £12.50 giftaid) 20.07.11 Good luck! |
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Jason £100.00 18.07.11 What a fantastic thing to do for a wonderful cause. Good luck! |
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Lorna £20.00 (+ £5.00 giftaid) 15.07.11 Good on you, Ann! Fantastic cause, great effort and I am quite tempted to join you..! |
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Anonymous £120.00 (+ £30.00 giftaid) 13.07.11 GREAT IDEA well done Ann. Such a wonderful cause. Naomi Good luck with my husband!! xx |
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Nick Jarrett-Kerr £100.00 12.07.11 |
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Laurence Bridot-Stoessel £100.00 (+ £25.00 giftaid) 11.07.11 Dear Ann! Building up on your target, happy to see that you have almost reached it, I am happy to contribute again via the Big Bang for lawyers lecture! Have now committed to the Decmber stone carving days! SEe you soon, with love |
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Tanya Cuxson £50.00 11.07.11 Good luck Ann!! Enjoy your jump and good luck with the fundraising. With my luch from OZ. Tanya, Rich, Mitchell and Georgia xoxo |
