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Birthday to remember

Lucy McGuire
15/ 5/2008

A WHITEFIELD man has triumphed in jumping thousands of feet out of a plane in aid of cancer patients.

Andrew Edwards, who told the Advertiser in March he wasn’t ‘in the slightest bit scared’ at the prospect of being thrown 14,000 feet out of a plane, said the jump, on Sunday, May 11, was ‘the most amazing experience’ and he is eager to go back for more.

Andrew, who runs his own plumbing and heating company, fulfilled his life-long dream a day after his 30th birthday.

He said: "Everyone knows someone who has been affected by cancer, it’s such a common thing."

For that reason he is trying to raise as much money as possible for Christie Hospital in Withington.

Andrew, who lives with his wife Laura, 25, in Lily Hill Street, said the skydive was in tandem but he is eager to go it alone next time.

He said: "Before I did the jump, they explained to me how the parachute works and what exactly was going to happen.

"I was totally fine and when I reached the ground I was elated, it was the most amazing feeling."

Andrew added that after a 30-second freefall at 120 miles-an-hour, he floated back down to earth and was able to take in some ‘stunning’ views.

He said: "You can’t describe it, you’ve got to experience it yourself to know what it’s like. I’m going back to do more, I’m looking to do a course so I can jump out on my own to up to 25 jumps."

Andrew said his wife, parents and friends gathered to welcome him after his leap and he is looking for more supporters to help him reach his fundraising target of £3,000.

To donate visit: www.justgiving.com/andrewe or for call Andrew on: 07790 000228.