By BRIDGET COOK
THE skies above Tooradin Airfield were filled with brave skydivers and teddies recently as many took the plunge to raise money for the Good Friday Appeal.
The Australian Parachute Assoc-iation and Commando Skydivers organised a fund-raiser on Good Friday, where they managed to raise more than $27,000 for the Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH).
Canopies for Kids saw about 80 tandem and solo jumpers skydive from Tooradin Airfield with a Dropbear Teddy strapped to their chests.
Each teddy was then taken to the RCH to be presented to a patient, along with a message of hope and goodwill from the skydiver.
Event organiser Gary Tayler said he was amazed at the success of the fund-raiser.
“It started off as a small event and there was just going to be a few of us jumping,” he said.
“It just took off though and we had people like a 65-year-old grandma and 71-year-old grandpa, the environment minister and a paediatric surgeon from the RC take part.
“Some days we were getting up to 80 donations a day, as everyone who signed up had to get sponsors.”
Mr Tayler thanked all those who supported the fund-raiser in whatever way they could, from those who skydived to those who donated.
“We have been blown away with the support,” he said.
“I say a gracious thanks to the whole community for getting behind it.
“So many people were willing to face their fears of jumping out of a plane. It was a way of showing the children at the RCH that they can overcome theirs.”
Mr Tayler said everyone was already talking about next year, so he was sure it would become an annual event.
“There is already talk about people wanting to sign up for next year and rolling it out to other drop zones in the state.”
