Easter Ross couple take plunge to bolster Dundonnell Mountain Rescue Team; Skydive adventurers hail volunteers who offer mountain lifeline

AN Easter Ross couple fell from the sky to raise much-needed funds for a mountain rescue team providing a lifeline for people who share their passion.

Avid mountaineers and adventurers Sue and Ron Howie plunged from an aircraft 10,000ft above Strathallan airstrip to benefit the Dundonnell Mountain Rescue Team.

The couple, from Balnaguisich by Invergordon, chose the Dundonnel team because their 35 volunteers cover the huge area that includes many of the mountains they enjoy. It costs between £35,000 and £40,000 to fund the Dundonnell team every year and they depend on donations.

Mrs Howie said: "It didn't look hopeful in the morning with gale force winds, but we carried out our training then hung around with fingers crossed. The wind suddenly dropped just before midday and the clouds broke to allow the jumps to go ahead.

"The grass runway was so soft and water saturated that Ron and I had to go up separately, but it allowed us to experience each others pre-flight scared faces, take off, jump, landing and post flight grins.

"Eddie our tandem instructor was amazing, as were the entire team at Strathallan, keeping us safe and as calm as possible. We jumped at 10,000ft, free-fell for 30 seconds to a speed of 120mph in the first 12 seconds to 5000ft when the parachute was deployed allowing us to calm down and enjoy amazing views of the snow topped mountains."

She added: "The falling out of the plane was a surreal experience. I have no words to describe that overwhelming sensation of rushing towards the ground followed by the perfect calm, peace and serenity after the parachute was deployed. We raised over £2000 smashing our £500 target thanks to the generosity of some wonderfully generous friends, family, colleagues, patients and fellow mountaineers.

"We are so glad that we overcame our fears to step out of our comfort zone to raise such a great amount of money for Dundonnell MRT."

Mrs Howie added: “Climbing abroad made us even more appreciative of the mountain rescue volunteers we have, as many countries have absolutely no mountain rescue service, never mind volunteers."

Mrs Howie works with Goskirk Pettinger Optometrists who have shops in Inverness, Dingwall and Golspie and Mr Howie is an optometrist at Asda in Inverness.

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