Brave Offaly woman raises large sum from parachute jump for Ashling Murphy Foundation and Offaly Hospice
She finally got to take the plunge after her jump was cancelled on five separate occasions
AFTER months of waiting and false starts, Ann Sheppard finally got her moment to make a parachute jump.
This was something that she had planned a long time ago and was her way to help worthy causes that were close to her heart. It was also an opportunity to overcome her own fear of heights and what better way than to jump out of an aeroplane at 13,000 feet. It was to go ahead on five different occasions only for it to be cancelled each time due to unfavourable weather conditions.
This day the weather looked good from the ground, but cloud cover higher up delayed the departure as Ann anxiously waited for confirmation on whether the jump would go ahead or not. She took a deep breath, thinking of the reasons why she was undertaking this challenge in the first place.
She thought of Ashling Murphy and the Memorial Fund that she was now supporting and of Offaly Hospice who helped during the loss of loved ones. Thinking of them, Ann knew she had to be brave.
The airfield gave the go ahead and as Ann made her way to the plane you could sense the panic and mixed emotions that set in. She said afterwards that even then she didn’t know if she could go through with it and while on the plane she was told that due to cloud cover the jump needed to be increased from 10,000 to 13,000 feet.
The encouraging words that some would say, “Sure you'll be grand, you have a professional skydiver strapped to you” wasn’t having the soothing effect either.
As the side door of the plane opened and the crew prepared for the imminent jump Ann knew the time had come and this was her moment in the sky. Ann described it as an experience of a lifetime but one that she will never undertake again. She faced her fear of heights but as she said herself, “I most definitely didn’t conquer it”.
From her experience, Ann said she learned a few things about life and people, mainly, the generosity of people. Ann was overwhelmed by the financial support, the words of support and the community backing that she got. Ann explained that, “when I now meet a challenge in life I know I can overcome it; especially with the support network I have.”
Ann Sheppard presenting Offaly Hospice with cheque for €4,000. In picture Edward Delahunt, Ann Sheppard & Mary Murphy.
Ann would like to thank everyone who turned up on the night, the musicians, Molly, Cathriona and all the staff in Dan and Molly's. She had a special word of thanks to her own family who believed in her and supported her all the way.
Although Ann is delighted that her idea has raised funds and awareness for the Ashling Murphy Memorial Fund and Offaly Hospice, she has firmly decided that tandem parachute jumping is just not for her.