Archbishop ready for parachute jump

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Dr John Sentamu, 58, is doing the tandem jump from 12,500ft with a member of the Red Devils parachute display team in a bid to raise £50,000 for the Afghanistan Trust. The charity supports the families of paratroopers from 3rd Battalion, the Parachute Regiment, who have been wounded or killed whilst serving in Afghanistan.

Dr Sentamu's first attempt at the end of last month was called off due to thick cloud and heavy rain.

A Met Office weather forecast for Nottinghamshire, where the jump is taking place, is that it will be cloudy with sunny spells early on and the possibility of showers later in the morning.

But Dr Sentamu said he remained hopeful the jump would go ahead. He said: "I'm hoping that the sun will shine today not only for the parachute jump but also for the anniversary of the D-Day landings in which so many brave servicemen and women gave their lives."

He had previously appealed for public support, adding: "The important thing is that the public get behind the appeal and take the opportunity to ease the financial burden on these brave people who have already given so much. If everyone sponsors me, even just a small amount, then it will make a huge difference.

"I approach the jump with a sense of hopeful excitement. I'm sure it will be an exhilarating experience."

The Archbishop is taking part in the jump after hearing about the Afghanistan Trust from businessman Guy Brudenell at a charity dinner.

Mr Brudenell, from Helmsley, North Yorkshire, had originally planned to do the tandem jump over Langar Airfield in Nottinghamshire by himself.

The 38-year-old said: "I said I was doing a parachute jump and he (the Archbishop) said, 'I'll do it with you'. I was completely taken aback. I had read about him, although it was the first time I had met him. I was chuffed to bits, but I thought when he goes home and wakes up the next morning I won't hear from him again. But the next morning I had his press secretary on the phone saying let's get it organised, which was fantastic."