Triple Olympic gold-medallist Matt Ryan is hoping to raise £3million with a two-mile high tandem skydive later this month.
He is making the leap on 13 April at The Royal Airforce Sport Parachute Association at RAF Weston on the Green, Oxon, in aid of the Mark Davies Injured Riders Fund and is looking for sponsorship to help meet his target.
This is no ordinary jump. Matt, who will be harnessed to a professional parachute instructor, will jump from 10,000ft and free fall through the air down to 5,000ft where the parachute will be deployed.
Says Matt: ” I will be realising a lifetime’s ambition -it’s an incredible opportunity. I can raise money for a charity that is very close to my heart. I’ve always been envious of people who skydive.
“I have not had to do any specific training, but riding fitness will definitely help, and I am sure that balance will be really important, too.
“The only practice we get happens 45 minutes before we take off, when we go through safety issues and technique. Because it is a tandem jump we don’t control the actual parachute, but apparently they might let us have a go!
“I’ve not done a parachute jump before, only a bit of paragliding off the slopes on the Alps which was incredible! That was a tandem jump too.
“There will be about 30 of us jumping on the day. I’ve got no regrets putting myself forward for the challenge and am really looking forward to it, although my fianc‚e Marie thinks I’m crazy.”
Matt has only recently started raising money for the jump and with such a high target is keen to hear from anyone who wants to sponsor him.
“I have not asked any of my sponsors yet, but I am hoping to raise quite a bit through them. I hate asking for money and my sponsors are already very generous with me,” he adds.
” I have raised money for the Mark Davies Injured Riders Fund in the past with demonstrations and open days and so already have a connection with them. Realistically, we all know one day we could need their help – they’ve already helped friends of mine.”
To sponsor Matt, contact Armadillo (tel 01980 629796) to pledge your support. All donations will be in aid of the Mark Davies Injured Riders Fund.
Youcan email Matt on mattryan@horsetrading.co.uk or visit his website at www.mattryan.co.uk
