Portchester man invents fundraising skyathlon to raise funds for Naomi House and Jacksplace

An exhausting and exhilarating charity feat dubbed the skyathlon saw Norman Terrill start with a 15km run from Portsdown Hill’s QinetiQ site, where he works, to the company’s Haslar site in Gosport.

Following this first leg, Norman then cycled from Portsdown Hill to Haslar and back, before taking on a 15,000ft skydive just days later.

Norman, who works in cyber security, was raising hundreds through this challenge to support Naomi House and Jacksplace hospices near Winchester.

The father-of-two said: ‘Naomi House pulls on my heartstrings for the kids at the hospice. I have come through cancer with my wife who passed seven years ago.

‘I know how hard things are, I have been through so much myself. You think you have got problems in life and then you go to a hospice and look at the kids and it really brings home how lucky you are.’

Since his wife Jackie passed away from breast cancer aged 38, Norman has been raising plenty of charity pounds through marathons, half marathons and more.

This latest challenge has raised more than £1,000 so far through the generosity of friends, family and colleagues, and Norman’s employer QinetiQ is due to put in more towards the total.

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Regular runner and cyclist Norman enjoyed everything about the challenge, but his favourite part of the adventure was the skydive.

He said: ‘I was in shock, it was like being rocketed to earth. I was a little bit nervous about it but once I got diving, I was delighted.

‘You feel like you’re up there with the gods. It was really good and I'd definitely do it again.

‘With everything that’s been happening with this Covid, you’re looking for something to brighten up people and make them smile.’

To maximise the amount raised for the charity, Norman funded the skydive himself so no money from the fundraising total would have to go towards the price of it.

He plans to keep on fundraising in the future, and bring in more money for worthy causes.

Visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/NormanTerrill to donate towards the skyathlon.

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