A plucky pair of staff from travel retail specialist MSX are proving they will go the extra mile to get the job done...even if those miles are spent plummeting towards earth from a plane at 115mph.
Gemma Knell, 20, and Amy Bell, 23, set themselves a mission to raise £3,000 for charity and decided the best way to do it was by getting sponsored to jump out of a plane.
The daring duo, who both work as order processing administrators at bonded warehouse and logistics firm MSX, wanted to raise money for Fred Ridges Foundation because the cause is close to everyone at the company’s hearts.
The Fred Ridges Foundation is a charitable trust set up by MSX managing director, Nicola Ridges-Jones, to raise money for Oracle Cancer Trust in memory of her father, Fred Ridges. Fred owned and ran MSX until 2004, when a battle with throat cancer saw him hand the business over to Nicola to take over. Sadly he lost his battle with throat cancer soon after.
The foundation aims to raise £100,000 in his memory for Oracle Cancer Trust, which supports research into head and neck cancer. Already some £57,000 has been raised through everything from charity gala balls to sponsored walks and sponsored slims.
Neither of the adrenaline-seeking administrators have skydived before but Amy said she can’t wait to get into the air.
She said: “The scariest thing I’ve done before is abseiling but this is going to a whole new level. I’m excited though, it’s something I’ve always wanted to do.”
Gemma added: “I think the worst bit will be sitting on the edge of the plane just before we jump out. It’s going to be terrifying but the thought of raising money for two good causes is going to keep me going.”
The pair will take the big leap on on March 22 in Salisbury.
Nicola Ridges-Jones, managing director of MSX, said: “I’m so proud of Gemma and Amy for taking on such a terrifying task for the good of the Fred Ridges Foundation. They are shining examples of MSX employees – caring, immensely motivated and never afraid to go the extra mile.”
To sponsor the pair visit www.justgiving.com/Gemma-Amy.
Photo: Gemma and Amy
