James Rose, from Winchester, has spent the past two years battling bureaucracy because he has Cerebral Palsy, which some said would stop him from achieving his dream of jumping from a plane. James is not so easily deterred, and on Saturday 11 July he will take to the sky with his close friend Michelle Lewis, to raise money for
Canine Partners and
Comic Relief at RAF Weston in Bicester, Oxfordshire.
A project a long time in the making, it was Michelle’s trek in Jordan in 2006 that inspired James to meet his fear of heights head on. However, doctors were concerned that apparent spasms in his legs caused by Cerebral Palsy would put James at serious risk during the jump and refused to sign the permission he needed. Cerebral Palsy affects James’ dexterity, speech, and mobility. He uses an electric wheelchair to get around and has an assistance dog called Nemo, who helps by opening doors and retrieving items for him.
James’ determination to make a difference, give back to Canine Partners who supplied Nemo, and help raise funds for those less fortunate through Comic Relief, meant that the jump was going to go ahead. James finally got medical permission in summer last year.
Since then James and Michelle have been frantically gathering sponsors and contacting companies to support the ‘Like A Bat out of Hell’ jump. They intend to raise £4,000 and have already secured sponsorship of over £2,000.
James said: “It is fantastic that this is finally going ahead now. Both Michelle and I have been planning this jump for such a long time and have had to overcome so much to get this point.
“Canine Partners is a charity very close to my heart. They provided me with Nemo, a gorgeous black Labrador who literally opens doors for me, and pulls my socks off amongst other necessary tasks - on command obviously! Comic Relief meanwhile makes a difference to so many people battling against poverty, something even more necessary in today’s economy.”
NB James successfully completed his skydive on 11th July, more details and pictures here
Information was correct at time of publishing. See terms and conditions for further details.