by Kathy Masterson
FORMER Metropolitan Mayor Cllr Michael Sheahan ended his term in office on a high as he leapt from a plane 13,000 feet in the air on Sunday to raise funds for the Midwest Spinabifida & Hydrocephalus Association.
The Fine Gael councillor, who also completed the Barrington’s Hospital Great Limerick Run 10k event in aid of the MWSA, described his skydive as “a wonderful experience”.
He told the Limerick Post: “It was a long day, we were there from 8.30 in the morning and we didn’t jump until 8.30 that evening because of wind problems. I was worried that it would be cancelled but thankfully it wasn’t and it was well worth it.
“I absolutely loved it. It was frighteningly exciting. Just as you’re leaning out of the plane, that’s when the second of doubt creeps in because it’s not natural, you’re leaning out into open space. But once you jump then you’re in freefall for a few seconds and you just have to go with the flow. You straighten yourself out then and I was floating down like a frog. It was lovely.”
Cllr Sheahan added: “I’d recommend it to anybody with a bit of positivity about them. It’s a very unique way to raise money for charity as well. I would definitely do it again. I really enjoyed it and it was for a very good cause.”
The City East councillor, who recently handed over the title of Metropolitan Mayor to Cllr Jerry O’Dea, says he is enjoying the break from “the cut and thrust” of civic events, but promises that he still has “plenty of issues to work on” between now and the next local elections in four years’ time.
John Byrnes, vice chairperson of the MWSA, who joined Cllr Sheahan in the skydive with the Irish Parachute Club in Offaly, thanked the former Mayor for his support for the charity during his year in office.
The Midwest Spina Bifida Association & Hydrocephalus is a voluntary organisation providing services to more than 100 families.
Only 35 per cent of the charity’s funding comes from the HSE so it relies heavily on fundraising; all funds raised go directly towards its services.
All its services are free of charge and include physiotherapy, orthotics, counselling for members and family, computer classes, cookery, leadership and self awareness development, summer camps, swimming and art lessons, wheelchair sports and more.
For more information, or to make a donation, got to www.spinabifida.ie.
