There aren’t many Saturdays that start with a 160ft tandem bungee jump over the beautiful waters of Cliff Lakes in Tamworth.
Lee Solomon of Lilies Funeral Directors, and his partner Charlotte Adkins, wanted to do something to raise money for The Birmingham Hospice. Neither of them have ever done a bungee jump before and thought it would be a great way to support their local charity.
The Birmingham Hospice is the new name for the hospices formally known as John Taylor Hospice in Erdington and St Mary’s Hospice in Selly Park. The two hospices merged in 2021, this was to ensure the charity can provide much needed end of life and palliative care across the city of Birmingham and Sutton Coldfield.
“Driving towards Cliff Lakes in Tamworth and all you can see over the tree tops is a huge crane, this is when the nerves really kicked in. Knowing the crane is what would be hoisting us into the air, it made all the planning now a much feared reality” Said Lee Solomon.
Arriving at the location and completing the registration forms, they had to then wait in a long queue before they could jump. They both described watching other people before them complete the bungee jump as unsettling, some took the leap on with bravery and grace whilst others were noticeably very shaken by the experience.
It go to their turn and after having their ankles secured into the very tight harness, they had to hop over to the cage which would then hoist them high up over the water. Their weights were checked, the correct ropes were attached, and the gate then closed and the crane lifted them up 160ft in the air.
The bungee jump operator who was stood inside the cage with Charlotte and Lee instructed Lee to hold onto Charlotte to stop them from swinging apart and bashing heads at the bottom of the jump, this made Lee feel under a lot of pressure. “Knowing it was down to me to keep us safe from swinging apart added to my fear of jumping” a quote from Lee.
The Bungee Jump operator of UK Bungee Club who tour the UK, then instructed the pair to stand at the edge of the cage with the gate now open. Lee took a look over the edge which he said he wish he hadn’t. As quick as the pair got to the edge the operator said “3, 2, 1, Bungee!”. Lee and Charlotte then flopped rather than jumped, over the edge of the cage and fell the stomach turning 160ft. Lee noticeably holding Charlotte tightly and with a look on his face showing his fear, was very brave and kept them from swinging apart.
After bouncing around for a few minutes, the pair were safely on the ground. Lee’s children, Xander and Teddy, aged 5, were clapping and cheering as Charlotte and Lee stood up showing they were safe. As well as Lee’s twin boys, there was a large crowd of family support from both sides which was lovely to see.
To date Lee and Charlotte and have raised £125 for Birmingham Hospice, there is a link below if you would like to support their fundraising event.
https://www.justgiving.com/page/lilies-funeral-directors-1694423674370
