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Freemason Pete Adams and his wife Sallyanne will leap from 15,000 feet as what’s believed to be the first-ever ‘Freemason and wife’ parachute jump duo to raise money for the Freemasons’ charity the MCF.
Pete, the current Master of the Provincial Grand Stewards Lodge and Treasurer of Pharos Lodge in Scunthorpe said: “The MCF supports very many worthy causes, and we’re hoping to raise additional funds in support of this.
“We’re going to do a simultaneous tandem skydive from 15,000 feet, and we’re really looking forward to it – it’s something we’ve talked about but never actually done before. 100% of the skydive costs will be covered by us, so every single penny raised will go directly to the MCF. We hope fellow Freemasons will support this fundraising event; charitable donations will be certain help many people and support groups.
Sallyanne and I will jump out of an aircraft flying at 15,000 feet, hopefully attached to somebody who knows what they are doing (and also wearing a parachute). Gravity dictates that freefall is a given, and hopefully landing at less than 120mph can be arranged. If not, the Stewards’ Lodge will need to sort out a stand-in WM for September’s Installation meeting.”
Pete said comments have included ‘are you crazy’ and ‘at your age?. During my time as Master of Lincolnshire’s Provincial Grand Steward’s Lodge I wanted to make the most of it and to boost funds and charity. ‘If only’ is a remorse that Sallyanne and I aren’t too keen on. She’s wonderfully supportive and enthusiastic about what us Freemasons do.
“Living life to the full involves risk. But it’s good to look back and remember some amazing sights and adventures. ‘If ony’ doesn’t match that philosophy. ‘What next’ seems to be a better fit.”
“Risk’s unavoidable, whatever the task. Reducing it involves shared trust and confidence in oneself, others and systems. The extremes of irresponsibility and timidity can be equally dangerous.”
Both can recall earlier risky situations. Sallyanne said: “I had a very serious skiing accident when in my 20s. It involved a complex and long search and rescue operation, surgery, incapacity and a very lengthy recuperation. They said I’d probably never walk or work again. I simply wouldn’t accept that. I had to learn the most basic things all over again. I’m lucky to be alive and fully recovered. It’s down to other people’s care, determination and support. The result was that I did work and ski again.”
Pete added: ““In the northern North Sea in the 1990s I was on a large oil production platform project. Our accommodation was on two floating barges, called flotels, that were normally connected to the main platform. Each flotel accommodated up to 500 people.
At the start of one particular two-week shift the weather was atrocious. My helicopter flight from Aberdeen was delayed until darkness. The very bumpy flight out revealed that both flotels had been winched well away from the oil platform for safety’s sake. Attempts to land on a wildly-pitching helideck were aborted several times. When we finally landed, we had to link arms and help each other to get out, huddle together and get to safety. The storm strength was approaching Force 10 and easily capable of sweeping an individual into the sea. Further flights were cancelled. Next day, seeing rolling waves more than fifteen metres tall was an unforgettable demonstration of nature’s power.”
The skydive is currently pencilled in for a date in August, subject to weather conditions. “And perhaps aviation fuel availability,” added Pete.
Pete has set up an MCF fundraising page here, where donation is very simply and all money goes directly to the MCF. It’s ring fenced there and its distribution will be controlled entirely within Lincolnshire.
