Sonya Branch has been working closely with Target Ovarian Cancer for over a decade, having lost a close friend to the disease. She started her first term of service as a Trustee fourteen years ago, and last year was appointed as Chair.
She said:
What excites me most is our clear sense of purpose, the drive to support everyone affected by ovarian cancer, whether they are patients, family members, or loved ones with compassion, and a real sense of urgency.
On Friday 20 June, Sonya, alongside her friend Tamara, took on the incredible challenge of a skydive, falling 13,000ft in aid of Target Ovarian Cancer.
Sonya said:
Firstly, I want to raise as much awareness and funds as possible.
Every single donation, no matter the size, contributes to the incredible work that Target Ovarian Cancer does, from supporting those affected, to funding vital research, and advocating for earlier diagnosis and better treatments.
The skydive is not just a personal challenge; it’s my way of supporting everyone affected by ovarian cancer.
Sonya and Tamara’s skydive took place at Sibson Airfield in Peterborough on Friday 20th June – with family and friends waiting firmly on the ground for them!
Tamara is also a strong supporter of Target Ovarian Cancer and wants to raise awareness of the importance of early diagnosis.
Tamara said:
Nothing prepares you for the shock of plummeting for the first time! I had wondered if I would keep my eyes closed all the way but within a second, we were stable. I was keener to look ahead than down, but whatever way you looked, it was clear that we were racing towards the ground.
The immediate break following the release of the main chute is surprisingly abrupt, with a sharp tug around the straps about the groin. As promised, we shifted from terminal velocity and a deafening rush to a breezy twenty to thirty miles per hour.
No problems with the landing and my sense of relief could not have been greater. Seconds later Sonya touched down too. Returning to the airfield, I am not sure who was more relieved to see who, but giant hugs were in order all round!
Sonya said:
Tamara and I would like to thank everyone for their generous donations to our skydive. We were both frankly petrified! But your generosity was the mainstay of our perseverance and made it simply impossible not to see the escapade through to the very finale.
We had various safety briefings which felt terribly brief for two ‘mature’ ladies about to leap out of a light aircraft at 13,000ft. We waited just a touch too long at the Airfield, anxiety mounting yet further, before flying up in a pretty much vertical ascent. And then, strapped (very snugly indeed…) to our expert ‘diver’, it was time. I went last.
The first few seconds were overwhelming then a zen part of me checked in and it dawned on me that the sensation was in fact a positive exhilaration – an extraordinary adrenaline rush. Around 40 seconds later, the parachute swept our tandems up and we floated… around 11,000 feet and descending, weaving over the beautiful Cambridgeshire rural landscape. Utterly tranquil – almost spiritual.
So thank you, thank you, thank you from me, from Target Ovarian Cancer, from Tamara and from all those affected by ovarian cancer.
Watch their full experience on YouTube here.
Sonya and Tamara’s skydive has already raised an incredible amount for Target Ovarian Cancer – if you would like to donate, you can do so here.
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