Office Manager Leaps Toward Landmark Birthday
12th June 2009
Tracy Wheatman, the longest serving employee at Henderson Campbell in Guisborough, was determined to make her twenties a decade to remember and set herself a list of things to achieve before she turned 30.
And, with just two months to go, she ticked off the toughest task of the lot when she jumped from an aeroplane 10,000ft above Peterlee. Strapped to an instructor, Tracy went half the distance in freefall before a 5,000 feet parachute glide back down to earth.
“The freefall part went by in a blur but, once the parachute slowed us down I was able to enjoy the views which were absolutely fantastic,” said Tracy. ‘It was such a clear day, you could see for miles – right out to sea and up and down the coast.
“It was definitely an experience and I am glad I did it – but I don’t think I will be doing another one!”
Thanks to generous sponsorship from her employer and several of the company’s associates and suppliers, Tracy was able to donate £1,366 to Cancer Research UK – a charity close to her heart as her father underwent treatment for bowel cancer. Clive Wheatman has made a full recovery and is now an enthusiastic supporter of Lynn’s Bowel Cancer Campaign, set up by former Watchdog presenter Lynn Faulds Wood.
Now Tracy is busy trying to tick off other challenges on her pre-30th birthday must-do’s. She has achieved the one at the top of the list which was to own a convertible car but is remaining tight-lipped on the details of the others.
“If one of them is to take over from me, she will have to wait a lot longer than her next birthday!,” laughed her boss, Antony Henderson.
The MD said he and Tracy’s colleagues were full of admiration for her bravery in completing the parachute jump and grateful to all who helped her raise so much money.
“Tracy is our longest-serving employee, having worked for me since she was a teenager,” Antony added. “I have often jokingly told her to take a running jump but I didn’t mean her to take me seriously – especially from 10,000 feet!”