16 October 2009
A nurse from St Helier Hospital leapt from a plane this week in a bid to raise money for charity.
Janice Carter, a Carshalton resident and nurse on the Whitfield Unit (a haematology and palliative care ward), took part in the two-mile high skydive to raise money for St Raphael's Hospice - a local hospice that helps to care for sick people who are coming to the end of their lives.
Janice said: "It was amazing. The skies were clear and there was no wind, so it was the perfect day for it. We were freefalling for about 40 seconds and that was just incredible. There‘s nothing else like it. But then the parachute was pulled and it was a big jolt - that wasn't as much fun!
"It was my first skydive, but I wouldn't say I was frightened. I was strapped to an expert the whole time so I felt pretty safe. Besides, it's pretty simple really - you just have to jump out when they tell you to!"
Janice is a keen fundraiser and tries to raise money for as many different charities in as many different ways as possible - in previous years she's shaved her hair off and walked on hot coals.
She added: "My family weren't that surprised when I told them I'd be doing a skydive - they know I can be a bit crazy!
"I'm not sure what I'll be doing next year; I'll have to get over the excitement of this first!"
Janice has already raised £960 for the cause but is hoping to take that figure higher and it's not late to sponsor her. To do so, just visit www.justgiving.co.uk/janicecarter2.
