The Archbishop of York, Dr. John Sentamu, today encouraged more sponsors for his daring parachute jump to raise money for the families of soldiers killed or injured in Afghanistan.
Dr John Sentamu will leap from a plane at 12,500ft with the Parachute Regiment Red Devils display team from RAF Langer near Nottingham on 27 May 2008.
Generous sponsors from across the UK have so far raised thousands of pounds for the Afghanistan Trust - a charity formed to help support soldiers and their families who have served with 3rd Battalion, the Parachute Regiment in Afghanistan, and who have been wounded or killed as a consequence.
The Archbishop hopes to raise £50,000 through his “leap of faith”.
He will jump in tandem with businessman Guy Brudenell, who brought the plight of bereaved families to his attention at a special dinner.
Firstly they will fly by helicopter from Bishopthorpe Palace to RAF Langer where he will be given a full safety briefing prior to the leap.
The Archbishop of York, who has never done a parachute jump before, said: “It’s not too late for people to sponsor me. The Afghanistan Trust is a worthy cause and we’d love to reach our total of £50,000. I’m very much looking forward to the jump although I must confess I get butterflies when I think about it! It should be a wonderful experience.”
A website in support of the Afghanistan Trust has been set up and donated by York based companies Stone Soup and Designition. The site can be viewed at www.afghanistantrust.org
Individuals, businesses or groups can sponsor the Archbishop by making cheques payable to ‘The Afghanistan Trust’, and sending them to The Office of the Archbishop of York, Bishopthorpe Palace, Bishopthorpe, York, YO23 2GE. Alternatively, please make an online donation at www.afghanistantrust.org
Notes to Editors:
Directions to the airfield are available from http://www.bpslangar.co.uk/html/location.htm
Please note filming and photographic opportunities are available up to the point of departure for the flight for the jump, and following safe landing. No camera crews are permitted on board the flight; however the Red Devils will film the Archbishop’s jump from the plane.
Schedule
8.30am Arrival by helicopter and meet with the Red Devils Display Team.
9.00am Completion of safety briefing and preparation for the parachute jump.
9.30am Walk across the airfield to board flight.
9.50am Archbishop will land back at Langar airfield having completed his first parachute jump.
Times for the flight and parachute jump are weather dependent.
For all media enquiries relating to the Archbishop of York, please contact Matt Woodcock at tel. 01904 707021
Media wishing to attend should report to Corporal Duncan Murray at Langar Airfield Reception, Langar, Nottingham, NG13 9HY. A short briefing will take place at 8.15am for queries relating to film set-up and essential safety zones.