HIGH flyers have raised much-needed funds for paediatric equipment.

When the call came from MedEquip4Kids to help buy essential equipment for children in the paediatric unit at Macclesfield District General Hospital, four members of Rotary Wilmslow Dean couldn’t resist the opportunity to conquer their fear of heights while raising money for equipment not readily available on the NHS.

At least 40 of the sickest children with respiratory distress on the ward will benefit each year from this new air/oxygen system costing nearly £5,000.

With wind speeds of up to 180mph from 1,600 horse power motors Rotary branch president Carol Parry and her team were whisked up, down and around the 1.9-metre high vertical wind tunnel at the indoor skydiving facility iFLY near The Trafford Centre.

Carol said: “This was an exhilarating experience and a strange feeling of weightlessness – but most importantly we had fun doing something out of our comfort zone whilst raising £250 sponsorship money towards this vital equipment – I would even go as far as saying we were all blown away.”