Hector takes on the challenge and succeeds

Volunteer, Hector took on a sky diving challenge to raise funds for the support service ‘Befriending Lewis’, which was launched last November with an aim to directly tackle isolation and loneliness in the lives of people living in Lewis.

A spokesman for the group said: “It’s been a very busy few months for the team as we prepared for our volunteer Befriender Hector to take to the skies to perform a sponsored skydive to raise funds for the service. On accepting the challenge, Hector realised that skydive regulations meant that he needed to lose two stones in weight before the event. This saw Hector slogging it out in the gym and following a very strict diet.

“He achieved his goal and on weigh-in at the skydive centre, the scales showed that he had lost a fantastic 2 ½ stone and was well under the maximum weight limit allowing him to take part.”

On jump day, conditions in the sky were very definitely in Hector’s favour and the skydive went ahead effortlessly.

Talking about the experience, Hector said: “I was honestly more nervous about the weigh-in than the jump itself, but when I got through that ok I started to look forward to the skydive.

“Apart from a few seconds of terror whilst sitting on the ledge of the plane, it was an amazing experience and would recommend it to anyone, but I don’t think I will be repeating the experience, it is a once in a lifetime thing I think! Many thanks to the Befriending Lewis team for coming down to support me, and also to the corporate and individual sponsors who were kind enough to make much appreciated donations!”

Befriending Lewis would like to give thanks to Car Hire Hebrides, Loganair, Co-op Stornoway and individual sponsors who all gave so generously. A whopping £5,000 has been raised and pledges are still coming in every day.