Charity Skydive Macmillan | Black Knights Parachute Centre

My Charity Skydive for Macmillan Cancer Support – A Day I’ll Never Forget

Last weekend, I did something I never thought I’d have the guts to do: I jumped out of a plane from 15,000 feet, all for an incredible cause – Macmillan Cancer Support. This experience wasn’t just about ticking off a bucket list item; it was deeply personal. My nan passed away from cancer in December last year, and I wanted to honour her in a meaningful way. Through this skydive, I was able to raise over £400 for Macmillan, and I can honestly say the day was unforgettable.

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The Journey to Black Knights Parachute Centre

The day started with a mix of excitement and nerves. I made the trip from the Midlands to Lancaster the night before and stayed at the Travelodge Lancaster M6. The hotel was just 20 minutes from Black Knights Parachute Centre, which was really convenient.

After a somewhat restless night (thanks, nerves!), I woke up at 6:30 a.m., far too anxious to eat anything. By 7:45, I was at the centre, checking in for what was originally an 11,000-foot jump. The team upsold me to a 15,000-foot jump for just £25 more, and honestly, I’m so glad I did – more altitude means more freefall, and the extra seconds falling through the sky were incredible! I also couldn’t resist the £120 video and photo package – it’s not every day you leap out of a plane, and I wanted those memories documented.

Prepping for the Jump

After a quick briefing, I met my instructor and the photographer who’d be jumping alongside us to capture the whole experience. They both instantly put me at ease with their humour and laid-back attitudes. I decided to wear my own clothes for the jump instead of the jumpsuit, which was great for comfort but not the best decision in hindsight. Top tip: avoid wearing anything with a collar – mine flapped around in my face for most of the jump.

I then spent about 10 minutes waiting in “the pen,” which is basically a holding area before you head to the plane. My heart was racing, but the atmosphere was buzzing with energy and excitement from everyone around me. You could feel the adrenaline in the air.

The Plane Ride – Climbing to 15,000 Feet

We boarded the plane, an iconic Blackhawk Cessna 208B Caravan, which the Black Knights team lovingly calls “the star of the show.” It’s a super reliable plane, and it took about 15–20 minutes to reach 15,000 feet. During the ascent, I could barely hear anything over the roar of the engines, but my instructor kept shouting out reminders of the key steps we’d practised earlier. Meanwhile, the photographer was cracking jokes, trying to keep me relaxed (though by this point, I was mostly smiling out of sheer nerves!).

One of the most surreal moments of the day was watching the solo skydivers ahead of me jump out first. Seeing them leap into the sky like it was no big deal really hit home that this was happening.

The Jump – Freefall at 100mph

Now, I have to admit – I hate rollercoasters that have those massive drops. You know, the ones that give you that horrible feeling in your stomach, like it’s left behind while the rest of you plummets down? I was worried skydiving would feel just like that but even worse. But here’s the thing – you don’t actually get that stomach-drop sensation at all. And this really surprised me.

Why? Well, with rollercoasters, you’re going from a standstill to a sudden drop, which creates that gut-wrenching feeling. But when you’re skydiving, the plane is already travelling at a high speed (around 80–100mph) when you jump out. So, instead of feeling that sudden lurch, you’re already moving quickly as you exit, and the transition into freefall is much smoother than you’d expect. It was exhilarating, but not in the terrifying, stomach-churning way I’d feared. In fact, it felt more like flying than falling.

The first 60 seconds of freefall were the most intense and exhilarating moments of my life. We were hurtling through the air at 100mph, but it didn’t feel overwhelming – it felt like freedom. The rush of wind against my face, the ground so far below, and the pure adrenaline made it an incredible experience. It was a moment of pure liberation, where everything else in the world faded away.

As we descended, I was blown away by the views. The greenery of Lancaster mixed with the coastal sea below created this patchwork of land and water. It wasn’t a windy morning, and there were virtually no clouds. Part of me wanted the thrill of diving through a cloud, but the clear skies meant I had an amazing view the entire way down – so I can’t complain!

Then, the parachute deployed. The sudden jolt brought us from freefall to a peaceful, floating descent, and the contrast was mind-blowing. After the adrenaline-fuelled fall, the slow glide down gave me time to really take in the stunning scenery. As we floated, my instructor let me take control and steer the parachute. I couldn’t believe how fast we turned – just a slight pull to the left or right, and we spun around at a surprising speed. It was exhilarating to feel that level of control at such a height!

Touchdown – An Unforgettable Experience

Landing was smooth but fast. I had to lift my legs as instructed, and my instructor landed us at a fair speed. The moment we touched the ground, I was overcome with a mix of relief and excitement. The entire experience felt surreal – the nerves, the thrill of the freefall, and the calm glide under the parachute – it was all so vivid.

Within two hours, I had my video and photos in hand, and honestly, they were worth every penny. Seeing the jump from another perspective just brought the entire experience to life again, and I’m so glad I opted for the package. If you’re skydiving, I can’t recommend it enough – you’ll want to relive that jump again and again.

I can’t thank the team at Black Knights enough. They made the entire experience feel safe, fun, and unforgettable. And the best part? Doing it all for such an important cause like Macmillan Cancer Support made it even more special.

Final Thoughts – My Top Tips for Skydiving at Black Knights Parachute Centre

If you’re planning your own skydive at Black Knights Parachute Centre, here are a few tips to make sure your experience is just as amazing:

Stay Hydrated – Drink plenty of water before the jump. The freefall can make your mouth feel like a wind tunnel, and you’ll want to avoid that dry-mouth feeling mid-air.
Wear Comfortable Clothes – If you’re planning to wear your own clothes instead of the jumpsuit, make sure they’re comfortable and avoid anything with a collar (trust me on this one!). Loose collars will flap around in the wind and can be distracting during the jump.
Get the Photo and Video Package – It’s a bit of an investment, but it’s 100% worth it. The footage is incredible, and it’s such a unique experience that you’ll want to relive it over and over again. Plus, it’s a great way to show off to friends and family!
Listen to Your Instructor – The team at Black Knights are total pros, and they’ll walk you through every step. Pay attention during the briefing, and remember to breathe and enjoy the experience!
Relax and Soak it In – Nerves are totally normal, but once you’re out of the plane, try to focus on enjoying the ride. The freefall will go by in a flash, so take a second to soak in the incredible feeling of flying.

This experience has been one of the most memorable of my life, and I can’t recommend it enough – especially if you’re doing it for a charity as meaningful as Macmillan. If you’re thinking about it, go for it! You won’t regret it.

Check out the video below – I’ll let that do the rest of the talking!