A daring skydive by Barnard Castle’s town crier has raised more than £3,000 for a charity close to his heart.
Ian Kirkbride chose to take on the scary challenge in favour of Parkinson’s UK to honour his wife Susan who has lived with the disease for 23 years.
However, he felt no fear when jumping out of the aeroplane at Shotton Colliery last week, alongside his son James and daughter Joanne.
Ian said: “I have been going back into it in my head and I have come to the conclusion I was not frightened. I think I was apprehensive at the point of departure of the aircraft, but I definitely wasn’t frightened.
Susan added: “The differences in their faces when they were going up, the look of apprehension, and when they came down they were euphoric.”
The town crier attributed his lack of fear to the trust he had in the organisers whom he described as professional and meticulous in their checks.
Of the experience he said: “It was absolutely brilliant. There was big rush as we fell out.
“I am slightly annoyed with myself that I hadn’t thought to wear gloves because as we were in freefall I kept thinking my hands are cold. Of course, when the parachute goes out it is a lot quieter, there is no wind rushing past your ears.
“From the height we were you could see the two rivers – the visibility was so good, looking up I could see the River Wear and the Tyne.”
“I couldn’t fault it and I am glad I did it. We have raised well over £3,000. Our daughter in Scotland, Joanne, also has a justgiving page and she has raised £1,000. People are very generous.”
People can support Ian by visiting https://shorturl.at/4yD27
