Mission accomplished by sky-diving Erroll

THAME Rotary Club’s President, Erroll Bateman, completed his charity sky dive from 12,500ft on Tuesday, July 5, raising valuable funds for Thame’s Children’s Centre which is threatened with closure when county council funds are withdrawn in a year’s time.

Erroll’s 45 second free fall took place at the Old Sarum Airfield and was organised by the Parachute Regiment’s Free Fall Team, the famous Red Devils.

Erroll, 81, commented: “Rotary Club of Thame’s major charity this year is Red Kite Children’s Centre, in thame which, as many know, is threatened with closure, making life even more difficult for their 1,500 clients all of whom come from Thame and the surrounding district.”

Red Kite provides parenting programmes, “stay and play” sessions, family health services, plus much needed help for young mothers and many other like services. Erroll described their work as absolutely essential to the wider community in and around Thame.

Erroll added: “The last free fall jump I did was in 1969, so before exiting the aircraft with my instructor LCpl Lee Crudgington, nerves were at a high level! However, previous training clicked in, massively helped by Corporal Lee, which made the whole experience very exciting.”

Should people wish to make a donation, they can do so via www.thame.rotary1090.org

An album of photos with Erroll’s sky dive is also available on www.facebook.com/thamerotary