Renowned Skydiver Set to Break Guinness World Record for Most Parachute Jumps in 24 Hours
Indianapolis, IN (PRWEB) September 03, 2014 -- Jay Stokes will attempt to complete 700 skydives in 24 hours and break his own World Record on September 5 and 6, 2014 at Skydive Indianapolis. His goal is to make history—and raise more than $200,000 for charity.
This past February, Jay made the announcement at Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital, whose foundation is one of the three charities he will be going to extremes to help. The others are Special Olympics Indiana and the Special Operations Warrior Foundation, which helps support and provide scholarships for the children of Special Operations Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines wounded or killed in the line of duty.
Stokes’ son, Nick, who is living with cerebral palsy, has received care at the Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital. Nick is also active with the Special Olympics Indiana. The elder Stokes served in the military and has spent several years supporting the Special Operations Warrior Foundation.
“This is all about recognizing the heroes in our world,” Stokes explained. “The kids, the athletes, the military service members, this is for them.”
It is, indeed, an effort of determination and sacrifice. Completing 700 jumps in 24 hours requires months of training, tremendous expertise and stamina, not to mention four planes, 30 parachute systems, 24 parachute riggers and packers, more than 120 ground staff, and countless volunteers.
Stokes, who set the World Record in 2006 with 640 jumps, knows exactly what it takes. In truth, his entire life has led up to this moment. He served 24 years in the U.S. Army Special Forces “Green Berets” and he holds all military and civilian skydiving ratings up to instructor/examiner. He is the current Chairman of the Board of the United States Parachute Association, and is contracted with the military to train Navy Seals to skydive. And, if he makes his goal, this will be the 6th time he will have set the Guinness World Record for most parachute jumps in 24-hours.
“Attempting to set the Guinness World Record is certainly a feat in of itself. What trumps it for me is raising a record number of donations,” said Stokes. “The charities we’re supporting provide exceptional service and care and I hope my attempt to break the Guinness World Record will bring greater visibility and financial support to these hard-working charities.”
As Bob Dougherty, owner of Skydive Indianapolis, and participant in three of Stokes’ past World Record successes explains, “This is a major event in the world of skydiving and for this region. In 2006, Jay’s World Record garnered international and national media attention, more than two million individuals visited his website, and countless spectators came to watch and marvel. It was an inspiration to all. We fully expect this attempt to be even bigger.”
Visit the Most Jumps 2014 website to watch a short excerpt from the uplifting and inspirational news clip about Stokes’ 2006 Most Jumps attempt.
Most Jumps 2014 will take place from 8 a.m. September 5 until 8 a.m. September 6, 2014 at Skydive Indianapolis, located just 30 minutes north Indianapolis off I-65. For more details about Jay Stokes, 700 jumps, and the event itself, please visit http://www.mostjumps2014.com.
To learn more about the charities and ways to donate to them, sponsor this event or volunteer, please visit http://www.mostjumps2014.com or contact Bob Dougherty at 317.843.2726.
Ryann Palmer, StepStoneGroup, +1 9522331474, [email protected]
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