CHESTER JUMPS FOR BUSHFIRE AFFECTED COMMUNITIES
May 11, 2009
The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester got an entirely different view of the electorate at the East Gippsland Field Days when he jumped out a plane from 10,000 feet.
Mr Chester was participating in Parachute 4 Poverty, an initiative aimed to raise money for specific charities in Australia and internationally.
Mr Chester said skydiving was not something he had ever contemplated but said he was happy to support the effort to raise funds for Chaplaincy in areas affected by the Black Saturday fires.
“I’ve never held an ambition to skydive and there were a few moments on the way up where I realised why I’d never made the decision to jump out of plane,” Mr Chester said.
“But it all came back to raising money to assist the communities that were torn apart by the recent bushfires.
“The support needed for those communities is insurmountable and this was one way I could help out.”
Mr Chester said the organisers of the event and those who donated should take pride in what was achieved.
“The Aerial Skydives team were very professional and made the event extremely exciting for all the jumpers,” Mr Chester said.
“All of those who helped organise, took part in the event or donated can be proud of what was accomplished and how this will help into the future.”
19 people took part in Parachute 4 Poverty, which has raised $40,000 so far and organisers are hopeful of a further $10,000 to add to the total in coming weeks.
To provide further donations please contact Darren Chester’s Traralgon or Sale office or call into any Warren Graham and Murphy office in Sale, Bairnsdale or Lakes Entrance.
