A LOCAL man surprised his girlfriend with a marriage proposal after the pair took part in a charity skydive.
Frome locals Russell Hall and Fiona Baily took part in the charity skydive earlier this month to raise money for local charity, the Maisha Foundation. However, if completing your first ever skydive wasn’t nerve-racking enough, Russell had big plans to surprise his girlfriend by getting down on one knee soon after the pair had landed.
“We’ve been together for five years so I knew Fiona was the one for me and we would marry one day,” said Russell.
“I wanted to make it special so when the opportunity came up to do a skydive together, it seemed too good to pass up. I had the idea about a month before we did the skydive.
“I had so much adrenaline from the jump, it was very surreal. Fiona landed close by a few seconds later. After checking that the ring had survived the jump I started to walk towards her, waiting for what seemed like a long time for her to notice I had something in my hand. I think she thought I was messing around when I got on one knee.
“After explaining that, yes definitely it was real, she said yes! It made it all worth it and I couldn’t have been happier. The surprise worked and I don’t think she has any regrets. Also I am better at shopping for rings than I thought.
“In the end it couldn’t have gone better and Fiona got the surprise of her life.”
Bride-to-be Fiona said, “I was not expecting Russell to propose. It was a real surprise.
“I organised the skydive as I’m turning 30 this year. I was more excited than nervous on the day, I had no idea what Russell was planning.
“I had just landed, when I turned around and he was there on one knee. I didn’t quite cotton on at first about what was going on, I was so shocked. As soon as I realised what Russell was asking me, I said yes straight away.”
So far the couple have raised over £400 for the Maisha Foundation, which is based in Frome. The charity raises funds to help educate and feed slum/street children and orphans in Kenya living below the poverty line of £1 a day.
Chairman of the Maisha Foundation, Alun Roberts said, “A huge thank you and congratulations are in order to two of our wonderful fundraisers and friends – Fiona and Russell. I would like to give a heartfelt thanks to them both for supporting our cause and give a massive congratulations on behalf of the whole Maisha team and myself, on their long and happy future together.”
To donate to the Maisha Foundation, please visit Fiona’s fundraising page: www.mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/fiona1011
