Loop-the-loop-the-loop!

3 Aug 2008

Report by John Moss 

Five ordinary Rotarians, One District Governor, One Rotaractor and an Inner Wheel President took up the challenge of performing a 'loop-the-loop' in a glider in aid of Wolverton and Stony Stratford's fund raising effort for the children of Velangaye School in KwaZulu Natal. 

Members of the London Gliding Club took our volunteers, one at a time, to 2000 feet in a glider towed by a small plane. Shortly after being released from the plane the pilot took the glider and our sporting volunteers into a 100 mile an hour dive towards the earth followed by a steep climb that took the glider over on it's back so that the ground was where the sky should be. (Scary stuff). The  challenge was to do a 'loop-the-loop' but it turned out to be a loop-the-loop-the-loop etc. 

L to R top row: DG Les Lee, Rotaractor from Milton Keynes David Beach, DG Les Lee. The group photo: All the Loopers with President of Wolverton and Stony Stratford RC, Jane Lynds with the clip board

District Governor Les Lee writes: "The experience was almost as exhilarating as the free fall parachute last time. However, I am getting older and hopefully a little more sensible. The Loop the Loop (I did three) was an amazing experience - in absolute silence - apart from my Wows and Oh Yes’s. This is something that everyone should try as it involves no training. There were a number of us taking on this challenge. So it was also a great afternoon of fellowship in aid of an excellent cause. Sandy and Amanda your turn next?"

Thanks to all 8 'Loopers' and to the London Gliding Club for their enthusiastic support. Shall we do it again next year? If you think you would like the chance to share the excitement of 'looping' in a glider and could raise £250 for charity then get in touch with me, John Moss johnmoss5@yahoo.co.uk 

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