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The group of people who took part in the jump.
 DETERMINATION
overcame apprehension last weekend as a group of people led by
the parents of a Hillsborough toddler recently diagnosed with
muscular dystrophy took part in a sponsored parachute jump to
help find a cure for the invariably fatal disease.
Little Sam McCausland's parents Tracy and
William, who set up the charity 'pleasefixsam, were joined by 23
other jumpers as they leapt out of an aircraft at an altitude of
13,500 feet - or 2.5 miles above the ground -raising between
�8,000 and �9,000 in the process.
Tracy described it as an amazing experience'.
She explained each member of the group had taken part in 'tandem
jumps' with experienced parachutists.
"We had 45 seconds of freefall followed by
four minutes of blissful silence as we gently swung under the
canopy with the most amazing views of Northern Ireland," she
added.
"There were a few rough landings but everyone
survived unscathed and most were talking about doing it again."
Also taking part in the sponsored jump were
Clive Anderson, Acting Principal of Knockmore Primary School and
Ellie Stirling, one of his P1 classroom assistants.
The McCausland's elder son Callum attends the
school's specialist Speech and Language Unit and Tracy described
the staff's efforts as 'fantastic'.
Parents from the school have been very generous
in their donations," she said.
She also expressed gratitude to Lisburn woman
Gayle Currie who arranged the parachute jump in conjunction with
the organisation 'Moonjumpers'.
Tracy said 'pleasefixsam' was a completely
voluntary charity: "We have no salaries, no overheads and no
costs - everyone involved gives their time, skills and products
for free so that we can guarantee that every sing I e penny
raised will go straight into the hands of t h e
researchers," she said.
"If anyone can help in any way please get in touch. Our
website -www.pleasefixsam.com-
now features ideas on how people can help. "We are still
encouraging people to get involved - if anyone would like to
jump we will be continuing to work with Moonjumpers throughout
the summer and into the autumn - register by emailing
info@pleasefixsam.com
or call 92680078."
Tracy also thanked Coca Cola and Subway who
provided the parachutists with much needed refreshment.
Ulster Star
20/06/2008
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