Seventeen brave men and women aged 17 to 72 took to the skies to raise a fantastic £8,500 for Norfolk Deaf Association.

Norwich Evening News: Seventeen brave men and women aged 17 to 72 took to the skies to raise a fantastic £8,500 for Norfolk Deaf Association. The parachute jumps were organised by the assocation as part of Deaf Awareness Week. Photo: supplied by Norfolk Deaf Association.Seventeen brave men and women aged 17 to 72 took to the skies to raise a fantastic £8,500 for Norfolk Deaf Association. The parachute jumps were organised by the assocation as part of Deaf Awareness Week. Photo: supplied by Norfolk Deaf Association. (Image: supplied by Norfolk Deaf Association)

The tandem parachute jumps were organised by the association as part of Deaf Awareness Week – a national campaign organised by the Deaf Council.

Norwich Evening News: Seventeen brave men and women aged 17 to 72 took to the skies to raise a fantastic £8,500 for Norfolk Deaf Association. The parachute jumps were organised by the assocation as part of Deaf Awareness Week. Photo: supplied by Norfolk Deaf Association.Seventeen brave men and women aged 17 to 72 took to the skies to raise a fantastic £8,500 for Norfolk Deaf Association. The parachute jumps were organised by the assocation as part of Deaf Awareness Week. Photo: supplied by Norfolk Deaf Association. (Image: supplied by Norfolk Deaf Association)

Among those that had signed up to take part were people whose friends and family members have been affected by hearing loss.

Norwich Evening News: Seventeen brave men and women aged 17 to 72 took to the skies to raise a fantastic £8,500 for Norfolk Deaf Association. The parachute jumps were organised by the assocation as part of Deaf Awareness Week. Photo: supplied by Norfolk Deaf Association.Seventeen brave men and women aged 17 to 72 took to the skies to raise a fantastic £8,500 for Norfolk Deaf Association. The parachute jumps were organised by the assocation as part of Deaf Awareness Week. Photo: supplied by Norfolk Deaf Association. (Image: supplied by Norfolk Deaf Association)

The group assembled at Ellough Airfield near Beccles and, after a nervous wait for the rain clouds to clear, were briefed on the positions for exiting the plane and landing. Jump suits, harnesses, hoods and goggles were donned and they were off.

Five planes accommodated jumpers at Ellough, and a further jumper was at Sibson Airfield, Peterborough.

While most were nervous, it was noticeable that the more mature jumpers, Jim Baxter and Val Miller were remarkably relaxed.

Ellie Parfitt, herself a hearing aid user, took part in the event and said afterwards: 'I had the best experience ever and I'd love to do it again!' The jumpers definitely enjoyed the exhilaration of free-falling at 120mph.

Aliona Laker, CEO Norfolk Deaf Association said: 'Thank you so much to our brave supporters for taking to the skies in aid of NDA. We are delighted with the fundraising result and look forward to more tandem parachute jumps supporting our charity.'

Norfolk Deaf Association is dedicated to improving the lives of young people and adults with all degrees of hearing loss. This is achieved by providing hearing aid maintenance, advice on assistive listening technology and communication methods, and support and information on hearing loss and other related conditions.

NDA was first established in 1898 and currently has a team of eight staff as well as more than 65 volunteers.

More than 124,000 people in Norfolk have some degree of hearing loss. This equates to 1 in 7 people.

NDA provides the following services: hearing support service, befriending service, tinnitus support group, hard of hearing group (HUSH! Club) and hearing loss awareness training for commercial and public sector organisations as well as individuals.

If you are tempted to do a parachute jump for NDA, you sign up with UK Parachuting by calling 01502 476131 or via NDA's page at www.ukparachuting.co.uk/tandem-skydiving