Jean Jumps for Blood Pressure Awareness
Blood Pressure Association supporter, Jean Richardson, took to the skies on Saturday 25 June to raise money for the Blood Pressure Association by doing a tandem skydive at Hinton Skydiving Centre in Northants.
The skydive was a 50th birthday present from friends, but Jean herself decided to get sponsored for the jump after her husband was ill due to high blood pressure last year.
His condition is now under control but the scare highlighted to Jean just how dangerous high blood pressure is.
Jean had to wait for the weather conditions to improve before she could go up, but says it was well worth the wait. Friends and family watched from the ground as Jean finally made the jump with the assistance of her fully qualified Tandem Instructor.
Jean says,
“The reason I decided to do the skydive was because when my friends asked me what I would like them to get me, I couldn't think of anything material they could buy me so I thought a "memory" would be the best thing they could get me, and raising money for a good cause at the same time seemed ideal.
“I chose the Blood Pressure Association because my husband was rushed into hospital last year with extremely high blood pressure caused by a blockage to one of his kidneys. There were no symptoms and it was only discovered after a routine eye examination where damage was spotted behind in his eyes. Thankfully he has now recovered but it certainly brought home that high blood pressure is a silent killer.”
Blood Pressure Association Chief Executive Paul Newman says,
“We are enormously grateful to Jean for what she has done. We are a small charity with a big job to do in making people aware of the dangers of high blood pressure and supporting those who are sufferers. We rely on our membership to keep afloat and on the donations of people like Jean. Without this support we wouldn’t be able to do what we do.”
Anyone wishing to sponsor Jean should visit:
www.doitforcharity.com/jeanrichardson
For a free information pack, with information on how to join the Blood Pressure Association, please call the BPA on 0208 772 4994.
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Notes to Editors:
For further information, please contact Claire McLoughlin at the Blood Pressure Association’s Press Office on 0208 772 4992 or email bpacomms@yahoo.co.uk
- The Blood Pressure Association is the UK’s leading blood pressure charity, providing information and support to people with high blood pressure and raising awareness about the prevention of the condition. For more information call 020 8772 4994.