Anne Fearon describes the sponsored parachute jump

Mrs Anne Fearon, SPUC Merseyside activist and Siobhan's mother, describes the day at Black Knights Parachute Centre, Cockerham, Lancaster.

Anne Fearon and Tony Mullett at the skydiving centre

Saturday 28th June was the culmination of much preparation, excitement and worry. Just getting the two willing students across to Merseyside a couple of days before the event was an occasion almost qualifying for National Sponsored Event in itself. Torrential rain, unbelievable amounts of traffic and floods on the M62 made it a long and tiring journey. We arrived in Crosby in the early hours of Friday morning.

On Saturday morning we were up at 5.30 am. We had arranged to meet Tony Mullett [SPUC's branch development manager] at a service station on the M6 and we had to be at the parachute centre by 8 am to complete registration and then wait our turn.

Abigail and Siobhan had been very busy. With end of year exams and arranging accommodation for next year, they had not had much time to think about the skydive but the butterflies started to flutter as they went in for their training session and then waited to be called.

Siobhan with a Pilatus PC-6

The small plane (don't ask me what type it was) could take three jumpers, each with their own instructor and one cameraman on each lift. We always knew that the weather would play a major part in the success (or otherwise) of the day. After watching about three lifts, it was therefore a great relief when Siobhan was called forward to get into her jumpsuit, goggles and funny hat.

She was given final briefings and then put on the trailer to be taken down the runway. It was windy and we could see in the distance the little figures get in to the plane ................. and then get out again!! The staff had decided it was too dangerous and the plane was grounded. They were optimistic that flying would resume later. We just had to wait.

We waited until about 2 pm. Siobhan was then called back and everybody sprang into action again. It was nerve-racking watching her go off a second time. The plane took off and in no time at all had disappeared above the clouds. It seemed to be out of sight for ever. While searching the sky for little dots that might be parachutes coming into view, the next group was called forward and, with Abi amongst, them we felt confident that the weather had not beaten us.

Siobhan had jumped out of the plane at 14,000 feet. Attached to John (her instructor) she had enjoyed 50 seconds freefall and then, with the parachute, eight minutes floating back down to earth. When she landed she said it was fantastic and asked: "Can I do it again?"

Siobhan with Abigail Smith

The plane went back to the end of the runway to pick up Abi's group but sadly the wind had become even stronger and the plane was grounded again. Abi was brought back in the trailer and once again we were told we would just have to wait.

We waited until about 7pm. The wind did not drop sufficiently for the plane to fly again in safety and so Abi did not get to jump and reluctantly we had to leave. (We had already been asked if we had homes to go to.)

The day was an amazing mixture of highs and lows (literally and emotionally) - so much excitement and a great sense of achievement for Siobhan but we were all devastated for Abi. After waiting all day and after so many prayers it just wasn't to be.

We came home shattered but with a fantastic DVD as a record of Siobhan's jump. I am so proud of both girls, for their courage in taking part in this adventure and also for the wonderful pro-life witness that they will give as part of the medical profession.