A FIRST-time flyer has jumped out of a plane in memory of their friend who died last year.

Iwan Davies, 23, from Denbigh, who works for Denbighshire County Council’s tourism team, has pulled through with his charity fundraiser 10,000ft sky dive on his first ever flight.

The former pupil at Ysgol Brynhyfryd, Ruthin, is hoping to raise £40,000 in memory of friend Jessica Law, from Bryneglwys, who died in August 2017 after being diagnosed with a cloaca anomaly and renal failure aged just 23 years old.

Mr Davies decided to step into a plane for the first time to raise funds for charities that help people with a similar diagnosis.

He completed the skydive at Tilstock Parachute Club on the outskirts of Whitchurch with friends Rachel Law, Jessica’s sister, and Amy Megan.

He said: “Being in the plane actually helped me on the day as this was the part of the skydive that had me most worried. I had no idea how I was going to be in the plane that it took my mind off the jump.

"There was this moment when we were climbing through the clouds and finally we burst through the clouds and all I could see was a field of white clouds, as white as cotton wool, and the blue sky with the sun shining on the plane. It was so peaceful and that image will stay with me forever.

“However, when my worries about the plane ride went away I got nervous about the jump... It was a day full of different emotions!”

Mr Davies said “the thought of backing out did cross my mind in the days leading up to the skydive but once we were suited up in knew that there was no turning back.”

He was strapped to a qualified skydiver who “made the fact that we were going to jump out of a moving plane at 10,000 feet seem like it’s the most normal thing in the world”.

He continued: “There was a brief moment of five seconds where I was hanging from the plane and looking down, this image will stay with me forever as it was such a clear day and the view was breath-taking.

“The rush of adrenaline was immense once we jumped and the first 30 seconds of freefall was terrifying. All I could hear was loud whistling and my face froze as we were moving at 120mph.

“It was most exhilarating experience of my life.”

The funds from Mr Davies’s fundraiser will be donated to Alder Hey renal unit, Wrexham Maelor renal unit, Ronald McDonald House Liverpool and Ty Gobaith.

Rachel Law said: “I hope this sky dive will share Jessica’s story and show how much of amazing person she was.

“The money raised will raise awareness of the four amazing charities and they can carry on doing the amazing things they already do.”

To donate to Mr Davies' fundraiser, visit his Just Giving page at www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/rachel-law-1?utm_id=108&utm_term=ZnaEvj3Mg.