A PARAGLIDER is preparing to embark on the challenge of a lifetime by flying more than 60 miles non-stop through the Himalaya Mountains, to raise funds for Kent Air Ambulance.
Father-of-two David Maidman, 48, from Hawkenbury, Kent, will set off from Himachal Pradesh in Bir, India, in October.
He is planning to fly unassisted in one continuous flight over mountain ranges for up to five hours, reaching heights of 15,000ft above sea level.
Avid The avid adventurer is aiming to raise a grand total of Pounds 9,000 for the Air Ambulance and Demelza Hospice Care for Children.
Mr Maidman said: The challenge is ambitious but achievable and there is always the possibility that there won't be enough lifting air in which case I'll be heading down.
I'll then have to seek a safe landing zone and prepare to hike to the nearest village and this is where the adventure truly begins.
David qualified as a glider pilot four years ago after training at Airworks Paragliding School in East Sussex, and has since flown in France, Spain and Morocco.
He was inspired to complete his challenge by Ed Stafford who became the first man to walk the entire length of the Amazon river in South America.
Injured He is aiming to raise Pounds 5,000 for the Air Ambulance and Pounds 4,000 for Demelza Hospice Care for Children and you can sponsor him by going to www.justgiving.com/david-maidman Last month, the helicopter was called to a 75-year-old paraglider injured at Mount Caburn, East Sussex, and flew him to the nearby Royal Sussex County Hospital at Brighton.
Mr Maidman added: The Air Ambulance is very respected in my flying club because we know we can always call upon their service when things don't quite go according to plan.
A service of YellowBrix, Inc.
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