Ripcord

A group of parachutists in the United Kingdom doing demonstration jumps to raise money for the National Health Service has had so many injuries, they’re actually a drain on the service. “I would rather pay them not to jump,” complained Scottish orthopedic surgeon Chris Lee. The cost of treating the injured jumpers “is far more than any money raised,” he says. “An overweight businessman going up for his once-in-a-lifetime jump to raise money for a children’s kidney unit is not the same as a fit paratrooper who has gone through rigorous training.” The average cost of treating injuries is about 400 pounds (US$625) per jump, he says. The parachutists generally raise about 30 pounds for each jump, after expenses. One woman who broke her leg in nine places on her first jump agrees. “I’ll be doing sponsored silences in future,” she said. (London Times) ...With her husband no doubt being the high bidder each time.