Having lost Martyn last August to Sudden Adult Death Syndrome I felt I wanted to do something to help raise awareness and funding for CRY.  I thought of what would be the most challenging thing for me to do and that was a SKYDIVE.

I started going about organising our skydive and asked Martyn’s family and friends if they would be interested in doing this with me, the response was immense.

First group of jumpers ready to go up - Cheryl far left

Twenty-five of us did a Tandem Skydive on July 15^th, which would have been Martyn’s 25^th Birthday.  I wanted to make the day as special as possible because he was very special to all of us.

We hired a coach and made our way to Hinton Skydive Centre with around 50 supporters and 25 Skydivers.  All morning I was feeling very nervous and just wanted the jump to be over as soon as possible as I didn’t know what to expect.

The Skydiving instructors were amazing and were very professional.  Going up in the plane seemed to take forever but coming down never lasted long enough. Coming out of the plane all happened very quickly but when the parachute opened you have an over whelming feeling of relief and excitement, everything is so quiet and the views from that height are unbelievable.

The day went perfect as can be.  We had a BBQ, raffle prizes and a charity disco in the evening back at our local pub.  We managed to raise £13,254.59 in memory of Martyn. 

Martyn's parents Lesley and Richard with the cheque for CRY

Organising this Skydive has helped me understand more about SADS and CRY. It’s also filled a little hole for me in the healing process.

We would like to say a huge thank you to our Skydivers, supporters and everyone who contributed to the day’s event with huge thank you to Hinton Skydive Centre for everything they did for us.

Cheryl Smith

I'd like to let you know about the wonderful day we had at Hinton Skydive Centre on Friday July 15th.

July 15th would have been my nephew Martyn Simpson's 24th birthday. 

Martyn collapsed and died suddenly on Wednesday August 25th 2004 while playing football and his girlfriend Cheryl Smith organised the skydive day in aid of CRY and in memory of Martyn.

It was such a wonderful way to celebrate Martyn's birthday, the weather was fantastic, the jumpers, instructors and supporters were all great and I can honestly say we had a fabulous day. 

The instructors complimented us on being the best group of people they'd had there.

Martyn's brother Neil with cousins Anthony, Gareth, William and Steven - ready to go

The jumpers raised a lot of money for CRY and all thoroughly enjoyed it and said they'd do it again!

Hinton Skydive Centre made us so welcome.

We put up our gazebos and sun umbrellas and got the barbecues going as soon as we arrived to feed everyone with bacon rolls. 

Then later in the day, and well into the diving programme, we barbecued all the usual sausages, burgers and chicken.

After the last divers were airborne we cracked open the wine and beer and toasted Martyn on his birthday.

The last year has not been an easy one for Martyn's family and friends but having the skydive to focus on gave us all something to look forward to and celebrate. 

We are all so pleased to have been able to help such a worthy charity in a very small way.

Thank you so much for all your good work.

If our little bit of fundraising can help towards saving the lives of other youngsters then it has all been worthwhile.

Irene Edwards

Supporters and jumpers show their support for CRY

Geronimo!!!

Cheryl coming in to make a perfect landing

Cheryl's cousin Keir about to touch down

John, Cheryl and Keir later on in the day

Supporters and jumpers wearing T-shirts in memory of Martyn