iFLY in Basingstoke hosts event for veterans

Members of Pilgrim Bandits visited the iFLY indoor skydiving centre at Basingstoke Leisure Park.

The event took place on Tuesday, October 18, and was hosted by army veteran Al Hodgson.

Al was injured by an IRA bomb while serving in Northern Ireland in 1992.

He went on to become Britain’s first double amputee skydiver and the world’s first double amputee to learn to skydive post-injury.

Twenty veterans of various abilities including Al took part in the skydiving.

The veterans, some of whom had amputations and other injuries, had a great time learning to skydive and spending time with each other.

Afghanistan veteran Steve Owen called iFLY a “really good establishment".

He continued: “It’s a really good benefit to the guys as well because it gives them another outlet, something that is not normally possible for disabled veterans.”

Members of Pilgrim Bandits preparing for the indoor skydive (Image: Newsquest)Martyn Compton, who has been a member of Pilgrim Bandits since 2010, said: “It’s been really good to get together."

Reflecting on his time with the charity, Martyn continued: "I’ve done various activities; I was fortunate to jump out of a plane over Everest.

“So, I’ve done some awesome challenges.

“It’s just a great bunch of blokes to be a part of.”

Pilgrim Bandits chief executive Matthew Hellyer was also in attendance during the event.

He said: “It’s been a brilliant opportunity to just bring the guys and girls out and expose them to something they don’t necessarily think they can do.

“We’re an inclusive charity, everyone can do everything, we see no barriers.

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“If there is a barrier, we try to go through it, over it or under it, and this is one of them.

“We’re trying to open their minds, give them confidence because if they can do this, they can do anything.”

Members of Pilgrim Bandits at iFly Basingstoke (Credit: Holly Gannon/iFly Basingstoke) (Image: Holly Gannon)He continued: “What iFLY has done for us, and I think it’s a partnership now, they’ve given us the opportunity to experience new things, to break down barriers again, to get the guys confidence, to show them what they can actually achieve.”

Pilgrim Bandits is a military charity that helps military and blue light veterans overcome injury and illness established in 2007.

The charity sponsors events, give grants, pays for medical procedures and runs challenging expeditions supporting veterans.