Nenagh grandmother and son complete skydive
By Anna Powell
Seventy-five-year-old Nenagh grandmother Mary McDonnell and her son Michael completed a 13,000ft skydive in aid of the besieged people of war-torn Gaza last Sunday.
Their initial cash target of €2,000 was reached in just one day, but now this figure has soared beyond their wildest dreams to an incredible €29,000, and counting.
The proceeds of the brave fundraiser is to be presented to Medical Aid for Palestinians and the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund.
Although hesitant at first, Mary agreed to complete the big jump with Michael after he suggested it to raise funds for the victims of the terrible war in Gaza.
Mary was absolutely terrified at the thought of jumping out of an aeroplane. But she stood up to the challenge, reasoning that she couldn’t compare her fear to the terror that is currently facing people in Gaza.
Said Mary: “I’m a retired nurse myself and watching the television and the horrific things that are going on in Gaza, especially in the hospitals in Gaza. Seeing doctors, nurses and carers trying to look after patients that have extreme injuries, I just said: ‘It’s horrific, and if we can do anything to help out in a small way then we should.’”
THE BUILD-UP
Mary, speaking just hours before the skydive, admitted to feeling very anxious. “I just want it to happen now. I am so grateful that the day is good and that they didn’t have to cancel it because it was all counting down to this moment and it’s here now.
“I’m nervous, and I’d be telling a lie if I said I wasn’t nervous. I’m actually getting dry in the mouth now thinking about it. We are doing it for a very good cause, people have donated, so we want to thank them all very much,” said Mary.
Despite the two and a half-hour delay due to technical difficulties and pushed back flights throughout the afternoon, Mary and Michael didn’t let their nerves get the best of them.
With children, grandchildren, extended family and friends cheering them on from outside the hanger, the mother and son team geared up and finally boarded their plane to complete their jump at 3pm.
THE JUMP
Speaking after the skydive, Mary had mixed feelings. “I didn’t like it, not one second of it. I didn’t expect to like it. I’d go as far as to say terrifying!
“But I did it - and I did it for the men, women and children who are losing their lives in the horror that goes on every minute in Gaza.”
When both Mary and Michael had landed there was a nervous moment as staff went to their assistance. Mary experienced momentary nausea from spinning during the descent, but she bounced back quickly and was up celebrating with the crowd that had travelled to the venue at Clonbullogue, Co Offaly, to witness the achievement.
“I am absolutely delighted I did it,” said Mary. “The hardest part was the freefall. You know, you think it’ll never stop, and it’s bitterly cold. It’s hard to catch your breath. Then once we opened the parachute we were grand, but there was a lot of spinning.”
Michael found the experience to be much more enjoyable. “The weather was as good as you could hope for this time of year and you are out of the plane before you know it. They just kind of open the door and you just shuffle forward. There was no one, two, three, go! It was just shuffling forward and out the door!” chuckled Michael. He added: “It was all about the cause, and the support we got was amazing. I can’t get over what we’ve raised. We set out to try and get to €2,000 but we’re at over €27,000 now.
“I have to concede the ground and the skies to Mam on this one. It’s all about her and she’s been incredibly brave.”
Mary and Michael’s GoFundMe page will remain open until next weekend, with all proceeds going to the charities outlined above.
VIDEO FOOTAGE
Video footage from the day can be found on the Nenagh Guardian’s social media platforms. Be sure to check it out!