Record-breaking skydive for the British Red Cross

An elite team of skydiving women, named The Brit Chicks, will attempt to break the current UK record for the largest all female formation this month at Langar airfield in Nottinghamshire, an event that will stand out in British skydiving history.

There are approximately 5,000 skydivers throughout the UK, ranging in age and experience and only 15% of those are female. To set a UK female only record with 68 women will be an incredible feat. The women involved have spent years acquiring the skills and jump numbers to participate in the record.

The Brit Chicks team aims to build a huge freefalling red cross, to support the work of The British Red Cross.

Four aircraft turbine will fly in close formation like geese, each carrying a section of the team. At 13,000 feet the women will simultaneously jump from their allotted plane and will all meet together two and a half miles above the Earth. They will be freefalling at 120mph and will have just 50 seconds to successfully build the giant Red Cross in the sky, before separating from each other to open their parachutes at 3,000 feet and land safely. Skydiving videographers, wearing cameras mounted on their helmets, will jump with the group to prove the record.

The Brit Chicks have already raised over £35,000 for The Red Cross by building a smaller 52-woman red cross earlier in May 2007. The new formation will break the current skydiving record of 60 women, set in 2004. To make a new record will require great skill, organisation teamwork and good weather! The record attempts will take place at Langar airfield in Nottinghamshire during 8-16 September.

The participating ladies can be viewed online, where you can download photos, read about their individual achievements and also make donations to the Red Cross at britchicks.org or visit Redcross.org.uk.