Father and daughter brave skydive

Incredible and surreal '“ this is how a father living with Parkinson's Disease has described an exhilarating skydive for the charity which supports those living with the debilitating condition.
You can do it, Ron! Ron Bernstein is about to jump out of the plane.You can do it, Ron! Ron Bernstein is about to jump out of the plane.
You can do it, Ron! Ron Bernstein is about to jump out of the plane.

Ron Bernstein, from Alnwick, teamed up with his 17-year-old daughter Olivia, from Rothbury, to brave the tandem 10,000ft jump, in aid of Parkinson’s UK. The charity is close to their hearts after the 69-year-old was diagnosed with the progressive neurological condition in 2008.

Despite living with Parkinson’s, Ron is determined to live life to the full and is an active fund-raiser for Parkinson’s UK and a member of the local Parkinson’s support group.

Ron Bernstein in mid-air.Ron Bernstein in mid-air.
Ron Bernstein in mid-air.
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Last year, dressed as Batman and Robin, the hardy pair tackled a high-octane zip-wire off the Tyne Bridge to collect funds for the charity.

This time, they went to even greater heights for the cause, and the skydive – at the start of the month – was an experience they will never forget.

Ron said: “Well, Olivia and I did it and it was incredible.

“From the first rush of air as you leave the plane,to reaching terminal velocity at about 120mph to the reassuring jerk as the main chute is deployed to the final gentle float down – it was a surreal, unique, gob-smacking, superlative-laden experience.”

Ron Bernstein in mid-air.Ron Bernstein in mid-air.
Ron Bernstein in mid-air.
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Olivia said she loved the jump, describing it as amazing and added that she would 100 per cent do it again.

Thanks to their bravery, the pair have managed to raise more than £1,200 for the cause. There is still time to donate, via www.justgiving.com/ronbernsteinParkinson’s UK is the Parkinson’s support and research charity, working to find a cure for the disease. For details, visit www.parkinsons.org.uk