By Mollie Mansfield
A Leicester-based couple soared through the sky last Sunday, October 23, at London’s O2 Arena to raise money for charity.
De Montfort University students, Ollie McGrath, 20, and Lydia George, 20, took part in a daring 165ft bungee jump as part of their journey towards completing a D of E Diamond award.
Ollie said: “I looked down, I’ve never felt so nervous, then it happened a slight nudge and I was flying through the air.”
In order to complete the award, the couple had to raise £60 each by completing something that they deemed as a personal challenge. Ollie decided that this was his main, massive personal challenge.
Ollie added: “We both sat there after we booked it almost in shock. We both decided we wouldn’t talk about it until the day so we wouldn’t think about it.”
The twosome have raised £135 so far on their Just Giving page, however the donation page is still open.
“The view of London on a sunny Sunday afternoon was amazing. It’s an experience I cannot explain; it goes against everything in your body. I tried to grab onto something even though nothing was there.
“At first I laughed everything off and then my face dropped. Most people look really cool when they do a bungee jump, I certainly didn’t! I looked terrified and did shout quite a bit.
“Lydia’s reaction was definitely worse, she kept looking down so obviously didn’t want to jump but she managed to and she loved it- mixed in with some swearing, crying and a lot of screaming.”
The Awards organisation is celebrating its 60th Diamond Anniversary and have created a new award, the Diamond Award.
This is an award available to all of the public, as long as you register for £20 and then complete a personal challenge and raise the suggested amount, £60.
All money raised goes towards supporting young people and allows them to benefit from the D of E schemes and awards.
Ollie said: “I owe a lot to D of E, I’ve had some amazing experiences because of them.”
Ollie and Lydia documented their jump on a Facebook Live stream which can be viewed here.
Donations can also be made to the couples Duke of Edinburgh award on their Just Giving page, here.
