The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Mum and son take plunge for charity
Adaring Perthshire mother-and-son duo took to the skies to raise money for a Forces charity – by doing a tandem freefall skydive.
Connie and Cormac Sharpe, of Blairgowrie, performed the feat in memory of beloved father and grandfather Robert “Rab” Davidson, who served in the Black Watch for more than 24 years but died suddenly in May 2019.
After the leap, talented golfer Cormac, 18, said: “Jumping out of the plane was definitely the best bit, but completely different from what I thought it would be like, I just can’t explain it.
“The freefall was so weird: one minute I was facing the ground and the next I can see the plane above me. It’s an experience I’ll never forget. I’m sure Grandad would have been proud of us both.”
Connie said: “From day one, I don’t think it really sank in what we were taking on. I’m not a confident flyer, I’m petrified of birds, don’t particularly enjoy heights, not great with spinning things, and my ears pop at any given moment.
“So a skydive was quite out my comfort zone, but once the donations started coming in I became more and more excited.”
The duo have raised more than £1,800 from the jump for the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA) – the UK’s oldest tri-service charity which supports veterans, serving personnel, and their families.
Connie said: “When Dad passed away, everyone at SSAFA Perth & Kinross was so supportive to us all – especially my mum – helping us through such a tragic time, so this, as well as the many close military ties in my family and beyond, meant it just felt right to support this branch of SSAFA.”
The skydive was carried out with the assistance of Skydive St Andrews at Fife Airport.
Angela Watson, SSAFA Perth & Kinross branch secretary said: “It was a fantastic day, and I was so glad I was there to witness Connie and Cormac achieve this in memory of Rab.”