Brave Jan Rainer from Holy Trinity Church Milton Regis faced her fear of heights and jumped out of a plane at 12,000 feet to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support.
The tandem charity skydive took place at Headcorn Aerodrome on Bank Holiday Monday when Jan (64) found herself waiting to jump alongside a group of 18 and 19 year olds.
Jan said: "They were very supportive and really encouraged me – it was great!"
The whole experience was “more than a bit nerve-wracking”, and at one point she could not stop shaking but remembering her training, she eventually became very calm, and listened intently to the instruction of her sky dive partner, Mike.
Jan explained: “I was extremely nervous, so much so I could not control my body from shaking, but I tried to remain calm and took instruction from Mike Harrison.
Back on terra firma Jan exclaimed: “The whole experience was awesome, I even took control of the parachute once it opened.”
Jan, who is a mother of four, and grandmother to Lauren (9), George (7), James (6), Rhianne (3) and Bethany (3), is part of a parish group raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support – they meet regularly and are looking at a range of projects.
So far she has raised £1,500. If anyone would like to support Jan’s fundraising efforts, donations can be made online via her Just Giving Page:
Churchwarden makes brave leap of faith
First published on: 16th June 2015
Page last updated: Tuesday 25th July 2017 8:16 AM