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WATCH: Jump for joy! Group skydive for Wolverhampton charity

Hopes were sky-high when intrepid skydivers from the Black Country took to the air for a record-breaking charity jump.

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The fearless flyers had been hoping to make it into the Guinness Book of Records as part of a joint effort across the UK to perform the most number of skydives in a day.

Yet despite most of the group being able to make the jump, they learned later that the weather had thwarted their world record bid.

Some 19 volunteers had turned up expecting to perform the freefall tandem stunt on Saturday when thick clouds in the morning put the challenge under threat.

By early afternoon, the skies had cleared and 16 were able to successfully take the plunge. The remaining three plan to complete the jump next week. The dive has so far raised £3,200 for the women's refuge charity, The Haven, in Wolverhampton.

The challenge, which took place 10,000ft above Langar Airfield, Nottinghamshire, eventually got under way at just after midday. Only one of the divers, Camille Murphy, had ever jumped before.

Jade Secker, community fundraiser for the charity, said: "Most people seemed more nervous beforehand - on the day itself they were excited.

"In the plane everyone was calm. There was no time for anticipation of what was ahead because you were at the front before you knew it and taking off. There was a real mixture of people, from their 20s to their 50s. Everyone did brilliantly.

"Sadly, due to the typical British summer weather we didn't break the world record. A lot of morning jumpers weren't able to jump and have had to reschedule due to the thick cloud cover. However, all of Team Haven are all record breakers in our eyes and we are so proud of all of them. "They have raised a phenomenal amount and sponsorship is still rolling in. Some are already planning what to do next."

There was a briefing session before the first plane took off where the volunteers were told what to expect and shown mid-air and landing positions. Between four and six volunteers were on each plane.

Jade said individual skydives for the charity took place throughout the year but the chance to take part in a world record attempt gave the prospect added appeal.

The Haven was one of dozens of charities around the UK attempting to beat the record for the most skydives in 24 hours. The world record is 330 jumpers and on Saturday just 214 were able to jump.

She said the money would go a long way to maintaining and providing the services they offer at refuges across the city, including emergency accommodation, community teams and running the helpline.

"We've had a lot of funding cuts in the last two years so we've had to raise more money just to keep our services going." She said it was hoped to reach the £4,000 by the time all the sponsorship money was in and counted.

Among those who took part were some of the Haven staff although chief executive officer Popinder Kaur was one of those whose jump had to be postponed because of the weather. The Haven Wolverhampton was set up in 1973 to provide both practical and emotional support services to women and children affected by domestic violence and homelessness. The charity on Waterloo Street is now one of the largest independent charities in the UK and one of the largest refuge providers in the country.

Team Haven's next big challenge take on the Great Wall of China in September next year. Anyone wishing to take part or would like more information, should email the charity at give@havenrefuge.org.uk

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