When you hear “10 000 feet mid-air” or “seven-second free fall”, your natural response isn’t exactly “Ah, the small things in life”.
When you hear “10 000 feet mid-air” or “seven-second free fall”, your natural response isn’t exactly “Ah, the small things in life”.
But that’s exactly why seven of Fort England psychiatric hospital's staff threw themselves out of a plane last Saturday at the EP skydiving club, outside Grahamstown.
The event, the first of its kind, raised just over R10 000 for long-term patients at the hospital.
The Fort England hospital accommodates some 300 patients, of whom two-thirds are long term. Though the basics are well-provided for by the hospital board, the budget doesn’t allow for anything extra.
Dr Mo Nagdee, senior psychiatrist at the hospital since 2006, said while some patients have financial support from family and friends, many don’t and can’t always rely on the generosity of others living in their wards.
“It mainly boils down to the little things – tuck-shop money for snacks, or an occasional cigarette… personal items that make getting through the day a little easier,” said Nagdee.
The staff approached the public, friends and family to pledge and donate for every skydiving plunge taken.
When asked why a more conventional way to raise funds wasn’t considered, Nagdee said, “Why not [jump out of a plane]? Watch this space, who knows, next year it’s bungee!”
Fingers crossed for some extreme brush-boarding the year after that. The weather played along and so did the jumpers’ brave poker-faces.
But when the time came to board the tiny air craft, cigarettes in shaky hands and shrill giggles contradicted the initial bravado.
All the participants stuck to their guns, though, and saw their mission through.
If their gladiator-like strides and smiling faces upon landing were anything to go by, they were proud of the accomplishment.
“I think it’s easier raising funds when it’s something exciting,” said Jane Higgins, a Psychology intern doing her first year of community service at the local mental facility.
“It’s been a good experience for all of us.” Staff members were set on paying the full charge for standard tandem jump, but when owners of EP Skydivers heard about the cause, they decided to give them a discount.
