This was the moment a plucky 72-year-old from Burnham-On-Sea leapt out of a plane at 13,000ft to fulfill a lifetime ambition and raise thousands of pounds for charity.
Malcolm Hill told Burnham-On-Sea.com how his “exhilarating” jump with the Red Devils Parachute Regiment Freefall Team last Friday had been the “most wonderful experience of his life.”
“During the free fall phase of the jump we were plummeting to Earth at a speed of 120mph. It was utterly incredible – so unforgettable,” he said.
The brave pensioner says he had no fears about the jump.
“When I looked out of the aircraft ready to jump, I thought to myself ‘crikey – that’s a long way down,’ but I didn’t have time to get scared!”
“After 45 seconds free falling, we opened the parachute and glided down for about 12 minutes before bumping down at the airfield. The whole experience was just incredible – I would strongly recommend it to anyone.”
Burnham-On-Sea.com first reported in April how Malcolm, who served in the Royal Marines during his National Service from 1955-57, had been turned down for parachute training because he was on National Service. He’d therefore longed to do a jump ever since and last Friday’s jump was therefore a long-held ambition.
By completing the jump, which took place at Netheravon Airfield in Wiltshire, Malcolm hopes to have raised around £3,000 for Help for Heroes, a charity that assists soldiers wounded in Britain’s current conflicts.
No turning back now! Brave Malcolm prepares to jump from the plane
He said: “The silence up there was incredible – the only thing you could hear was the wind whistling around us.”
The view of the Wiltshire countryside was constantly changing as he hurtled downwards
Falling down to Earth, this plucky pensioner showed no fear!
Coming in to land… Malcolm glides down onto the safety of the airfield
Malcolm gives a big thumbs-up to show his approval a few seconds after landing
Malcolm’s back home in Burnham and counting up the money he’s raised with his wife Joyce and friend George Garton
Malcolm’s jump was organised by Click and Jump, a company specialising in skydiving experiences for first time jumpers.
