A Bradley Stoke skydiver is appealing to local businesses for help in funding her participation in a world record skydive attempt that will take place next September in California.
Sarah Churchill, a 24 year old nurse, took up the sport whilst studying for a nursing degree at the University of the West of England. She trained at Frenchay and Southmead and now works at a local hospital.
She made her first tandem dive in 2005 and has since clocked up a total of 517 dives. Now a qualified skydiving coach, Sarah works in her spare time at the Netheravon Drop Zone near Salisbury. When not working or flying, she can often be seen working out in the gym at the Aztec Hotel & Spa.
Last year Sarah was invited to join the Brit Chicks skydiving team for an attempt at the UK women’s largest free-fall formation record. The team successfully set a new record of 68 female skydivers in formation [see the video on YouTube], raising over £40,000 for the British Red Cross in the process.
Several visits to training camps in the USA over the last year have led to Sarah being invited to join the international Jump for the Cause team, which will make an attempt on the world women’s formation record in September 2009 at Perris Valley, California.
The current world record stands at 151 and the team of 175 world-class female skydivers are hoping to both set a new record and raise $1 million for breast cancer research, breast cancer care and the City of Hope cancer research and treatment centre.
Sarah, who is one of just 30 participants selected from the UK, competed against 300 skydivers from around the world to secure a place in the team.
Each team member must raise in the region of £10,000 to cover the costs of preparing for and taking part in the record attempt. National mobile phone retailer Carphone Warehouse has already chipped in with £400 of personal sponsorship and Sarah is now asking local businesses and individuals to support her participation and contribute to the benefiting charities.
Sarah can be contacted by email at sarah.churchill2@googlemail.com or by calling 07519 123947.
Related Links:
- Charity Appeals: Sarah Churchill – Skydiver (The Journal)
- Profile of Sarah Churchill (Jump for the Cause)
