Tyne Bridge Zip Slide June 16th 2012

This last week I have been meaning to write a pre zip slide blog post but I have honestly felt so sick with nerves that I wanted to block it from my memory.

The only problem was that everyone was wishing me good look and asking how I felt about jumping off the bridge!!

As the day got closer I was struck with all manner of emotions, from dealing with the loss of my father in law, to the inevitable nerves and excitement of hurling myself off a bridge.

Yes I have done a zip slide before and I was at an advantage to the rest of the zippers but this one was bigger in every way.  For a start when we jumped from the small window at Xscape last September there was another roof level below us so you couldn’t actually see how high up you were.  This time we were completely open to the elements and had a clear view of what was below us!!

A fellow Zipper picked me up at 10am and off we set, with the photographer on the drive to Newcastle.  Having taken this route many times before when visiting my parents, I knew that once we passed the Angel of the North we were nearly there.

We managed to spot the Olympic Torch Relay Convoy cross a bridge in front of us and ended up behind it on the Motorway.  This brought up the subject of the Bear Grylls Zip Slide the night before.

I couldn’t resist sharing this video on Facebook that very same morning but I knew that the zip slide we were taking part in wasn’t quite as high

By this point we were getting close to the Zip Slide registration point and I was quite shocked that for me it wasn’t the nerves that were kicking in but instead it was pure excitement! As soon as I saw the landing platform I wanted to get up there and take my turn.

We waited for the other Cancer Support Bradford & Airedale Zip Sliders to turn up then registered and got kited out with our harnesses.  Oh boy did I look a sight!

Walking up to the bridge road level took some doing but once we were there I was not only excited about taking part but I also felt responsible for the rest of the team.  With this in mind I decided to go last to help support the rest of the team and hopefully encourage them to take the leap of faith.

Standing on that bridge I also realised that we were being watched! Not only by our friends, families and supporters but by passers-by on the bridge.  People taking photo’s and asking what we were doing.  This had never crossed my mind before.

So once the whole team got to bridge level  one of the Zip Slide UK staff gave a safety talk and we prepared ourselves to take the jump.  The others did their zip and I could hear the cheers!  Then it was my turn . . .

We had to stand on some step ladders to get secured to the line and take our position sitting on the side of the bridge.  You know what that was the most frightening bit!!  I hate ladders but once I knew I was fastened on I stood on the bridge wall and took my position.  I had to wait for the safety checks at the bottom.

Mark Winterbourne took this photo and it really makes me chuckle.  I look so at home perched on the edge of the bridge!!

All that prep for 15 seconds of complete freedom but it was worth every second!

Final totals of money raised are not in yet but I know that 3 of us have already raised £900 and the money is still coming in.  Bear in mind that £225 will provide one person with support from CSBA for a whole year so we made a huge difference!

Thank you to each and every one of you who sponsored me and the team.  Events like this aren’t worth it without your support and donations.

I will post how much money we raised as soon as I know xx

Now when can I do it again?

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