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Blind woman leaps out of plane to raise money for Guide Dogs Cymru

News | Tom Hicks | Published: 11:45, Tuesday June 11th, 2024.
Last updated: 11:45, Tuesday June 11th, 2024

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Sue Sims leapt out of plane over Swansea Airfield
Sue Sims leapt out of a plane over Swansea Airfield

Sue Sims, from Caerphilly, spent Saturday skydiving over south Wales to raise money in memory of her guide dog, Flora.

The aptly named ‘Blind Panic’ skydive happened on Saturday June 8 over Swansea Airfield, and saw Sue, who is totally blind, leap from a plane at 10,000 feet.

Speaking after the jump, Sue said: “I must be crazy, but I was determined not to be scared and to enjoy it. I was first to jump, but when the time came to get to the door of the plane, I started to wonder what I was doing.

“It all goes so quickly, and the freefall was very scary. You’re tumbling through the air, and when the chute opens you think ‘I’m safe now’ but you’re not really.

“My instructor Grayson was fantastic and made me feel at ease, describing everything for me.”

Sue did the jump to help raise funds to name a guide dog puppy in memory of Flo, her late guide dog.

She continued: “I think doing this as a totally blind person makes it more scary. I used to be able to see a little bit, and it gives you an idea of what you’re diving into, but I was fully reliant on the instructor.

“My husband Steve also did the jump, but he went up in a different plane so he could do it from 15,000 feet.”

Anyone who would like to meet Sue, and her current guide dog Saxon, can visit the pair at Talbot Green Tesco on Saturday June 22, where the Caerphilly Guide Dogs group will be hosting a collection bucket from 10am until 2pm.


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Guide Dogs Cymru

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