This 78-year-old Limerick granddad skydived from 10,000 feet at the weekend
Michael Sheahan is an inspiration.
Last Sunday, the grandfather of ten from Limerick completed his first skydive - at the age of 78.
And not only did Michael jump out of a plane at 10,000 feet, he has also raised around €12,000 for brain aneurysm research.
And Michael seems to have enjoyed himself.
“It went off terrifically, I’m delighted with it. I wasn't scared at all; it was super. I said a prayer and I was so relaxed after it that I could have dozed off,” he said.
“It was the most gorgeous day and the scenery was just beautiful. The patterns of the fields and the colours were like an artist’s painting. The wind on the way down was unbelievable, it was like getting a facelift, but I really enjoyed it.”
Michael decided to complete the Tandem Skydive following the sudden death of his wife, Evelyn, from a cerebral aneurysm last July.
Michael and their five sons have been fundraising for aneurysm research and all funds from the dive will go to the University of Limerick Adrienne Hussey Scholarship. The Scholarship was set up by the charity Friends of A in memory of Adrienne, the 2010 Texas Rose who passed away aged 26 in January, 2012 as a result of a ruptured aneurysm.
And even though he's jumped out of a plane, Michael's not finished yet.
“We want to do more. People have been very good so far. One thing I’ve been amazed by is the amount of people who have been affected by aneurysms.”
Skydive Ireland fundraising manager John Byrnes described the work Michael is doing as "exceptional and a huge inspiration to people who have suffered tragic loss of loved ones".
We couldn't agree more.
