SUNDAY might traditionally be a day for relaxation – yet taking it easy was a luxury four Billericay men could not afford when they jumped out of an airplane at 12,000 feet in the name of charity.
On April 7, Billericay Round Table members Simon Poole, Scott Gobeille, Kevin Mesnard and Marcus Bennett took the plunge in aid of Sparks, a charity that funds life-changing research into conditions affecting babies, children and mums-to-be.
The skydive took place at the North London Parachute Centre, near March in Cambridgshire, and to date the quartet has collected sponsorship of £1,775 – beating its original target of £1,500.
Mr Bennett, who hates heights, said: "Due to the adrenaline and the fact we were raising money for such a good cause, I couldn't wait to jump out of the plane."
After months of anticipation and training, which included learning how to land safely, the foursome made their way up to the airfield airbase at 5am.
The early start left them "too tired" to feel nervous during the journey yet the fear began to grip them as they boarded the plane and ascended.
"Once we reached 11,800 feet the door opened," Mr Poole, 38, recalled. "My stomach turned cartwheels as hundreds of tiny fields appeared below, but soon I was over the edge of the door and then free-falling at 120mph so there was no chance of turning back.
"At 7,000 feet the canopy went up and we slowed to 15mph giving me a chance to breathe again and take in the scenery, which was awesome.
"The free-fall was exhilarating – there's nothing that you can compare it to when trying to describe it to someone afterwards.
"It took my breath away."
Mr Poole, a freight manager, continued: "I already wanted to get back on the plane before we'd hit the ground and would do it again – I'd also highly recommend it to anyone who wants to have an experience that they will never, ever forget."
Mr Bennett added: "We challenged ourselves – and we went through with that fantastic challenge.
"Future Round Table members will have the chance to do so themselves in similar ways, all to raise money for fantastic charities."
For more information, or to join The Round Table, e-mail media@billericayroundtable.co.uk
To donate to the skydive fund, log on to http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/billericayboystourofduty
