On May 17, the
Bishop of Norwich, the Rt Rev Graham James, descended from the skies on a
UK Parachuting-run skydive at Ellough airfield near Beccles joined by his wife
Julie, son
Dominic, ex High Sheriff
Henry Cator and his wife
Ski to raise funds for
The Matthew Project, a drug and alcohol charity in Norfolk and Suffolk.
The bishop and Mr Cator are both patrons of the charity, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary and is set for a £15,000 boost thanks to the group of daredevil skydivers.
Bishop Graham said: “I called it a “leap of faith” and it was certainly that, and an exhilarating one. As a family, we have raised in the region of £6000. One of the great things was to see so many who jumped on behalf of The Matthew Project. As patrons. Henry Cator and I would like to thank everyone for their support. It’s the best way to celebrate The Matthew Project’s 30th birthday.”
Others taking part included
Bob Rose, recently retired from
Larking Gowen, Mark Jeffries of
Mills and Reeve and
Alex Sargeant of
Strangers Coffee.
Sharon Hulbert, media and fundraising manager for the Matthew Project, said: “I am so relieved that all 18 skydivers landed safely, all with huge smiles on their faces. In total we hope to have raised in excess of £15,000, which is amazing. We are truly grateful to those who took part but also to those generous people who sponsored them.
“Monies raised will enable us to continue and to expand the services we currently offer to support those who are affected by drug and alcohol issues, whether it be the user themselves or those affected by someone else’s use.”
Anyone who wants to make donation in support of Bishop Graham’s skydive should visit
www.justgiving.com/graham-james1
The Matthew Project has organised a 1930s charity ball at Sprowston Manor on Saturday, June 14. Tickets are £30 and are available at
www.matthewproject.org/1930s-charity-ball
Click here to see a Mustard TV video of the skydive
Pictured above is the Bishop of Norwich with, top the other skydivers at Ellough airfield. Pictures by Sharon Hulbert.
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