By Emily Goddard

Natasha Baker jumped 12,000 feet from a plane to raise money for children's charity Dreamflight ©Natasha Baker/TwitterNatasha Baker, Great Britain's two-time Paralympic equestrian champion, has jumped 12,000 feet from a plane to raise money for children's charity Dreamflight - for which she is an ambassador.

The double London 2012 gold medallist completed the freefall at Hinton Skydive Centre and has so far raised about £2,000 ($3,250/€2,500) for the United Kingdom-based organisation, which takes almost 200 children with a serious illness or disability, without their parents, on the holiday of a lifetime to Orlando, Florida, every year.

The children also get to experience the city's famous theme parks and swim with dolphins.

"It has always been on my bucket list," Baker said.

"I work closely with Dreamflight and have done for quite a long time now and I was a Dreamflight child when I was nine.

"It is just life changing and it was for me.

"We got back in touch over the London 2012 period and I started working with them and speaking at their events.

"I went to one at Gatwick Airport and the Fundraising Committee said: 'You wouldn't fancy doing a sky dive would you?'

"It was towards the end of the night and I had had a glass of wine so I said, Yes that's a great idea I'd love to do one'.

"I woke up the next morning and thought 'Oh my, I agreed to do a sky dive last night'."

Natasha Baker won gold in the individual championship test grade II and individual freestyle test grade II at the London 2012 Paralympics ©Getty ImagesNatasha Baker won gold in the individual championship test grade II and individual freestyle test grade II at the London 2012 Paralympics ©Getty Images


Baker did the skydive strapped to an instructor but she admitted she was nervous when it came to the jump itself.

"Just as we were about to fly out, the nerves kicked in and I thought, 'Oh what am I doing?'" she explained.

"But as soon as I was out and free falling it was just insane.

"I don't think there is a word to describe it.

"It is just the weirdest sensation that you are literally flying thought the air and going through clouds was just bizarre."

The money Baker has raised will pay for up to five children's accommodation on the trip, with more money hopefully to come before the fundraising cut off date of October 14.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
August 2014: First three team places at Rio 2016 Paralympics secured during World Equestrian Games
August 2014: Strong second day for British Para-dressage riders at World Equestrian Games