THREE daredevils from The Standard’s parent company Bullivant Media took a leap of faith on Saturday (July 4) to raise funds for Bromsgrove’s Blue Cross.
Reporter Aaron Wise and sales executives Tori Newton-Coombs and Bradley Taylor went to the centre in Catshill to undertake the Big Blue Bungee jump, which saw them all plunge 160ft for the cause.
The trio have raised more than £300 between them towards the charity’s £1.9million rebuild which will enable the Bromsgrove Blue Cross to double the number of animals it assists each year.
Among the improvements will be revamped kennels and cattery, making them more spacious, maternity units for puppies and kittens, special housing for new arrivals and a dedicated behaviour assessment area.
Tori said: “I’d done one before, but that was on holiday and was totally different.
“It was really windy up there, but it was an amazing experience.”
Bradley added: “The video of the jump was two minutes but it felt like an hour.
“But, now that I have done it, I would happily do it again.
“I had never done anything like this before, but after doing it, I’d definitely do it again.
“I’m going to try and do some other stuff – it’s so cool and all for a good cause.”
And Aaron told The Standard: “It was terrifying. Due to the wind conditions there was a bit of a delay which didn’t help the nerves.
“I managed to stay fairly relaxed through the build up and the briefing right up until I was sat in the cage all strapped up about to make the long climb up the crane.
“Thinking back I remember my heart being in my mouth when I looked down at the cage floor to psyche myself up, only to find it had holes in so I could see everything below.
“I hung my toes over the side and put my arms out in front of me, then the next thing I knew I was hurting towards the ground squealing like a little girl.
“Did I enjoy it? Yes. Would I do it again? Never.”
Visit www.bluecross.org.uk or call 0300 790 9903 for more information or to make a donation to the Blue Cross rebuild appeal.
