Brian's Award

Sorry so long no posts l think my head is as sorted as it will be for some time. I have been working all over the country for the last 3 or so months but am now settled back at home.

I want to wish everyone a great new year and after the bad news l have had to get a new washing machine as mine died, had a big tooth cavity, got a dog bite, had a big allergic reaction thankfully now settled, and a lepto scare over a dog we had been nursing and no one wanted to tell me it had leptospirosis.. l was furious at that one.
So here is my best bit of news that came out of the back end of 2010:

I received an email the other day from the British parachute Association. Brian's friends had tried to get him voted the Skydiver of the year. However the BPA felt that this did not go far enough and l received a wonderful email.

The award will be presented in spring at the Royal Aero Club Awards ceremony l will go on his behalf to receive the award. The award is only given on an occasional basis and under exceptional standards.
I burst into tears when l read about it and am so proud of Brian and his friends and l know he is as well:

Brian Laithwaite – Outstanding Contribution to the Sport

The Jim Crocker Trophy for an Outstanding Contribution to Sport Parachuting has been awarded to Brian Laithwaite in memoriam. Brian was an exceptional coach/load organiser who over the years served as CCI at two Drop Zones, and devoted decades of dedicated commitment to training the next generation of skydivers.

Brian’s enthusiasm and sheer love of the sport shone like a beacon. No-one was ever left out with Brian. He knew how to make learning fun. His greatest satisfaction was to see his fledglings fly, and many have gone on to make their own mark on the sport. Brian suffered a fatal entanglement in summer 2010. He lives on in the memory of so many skydivers who look back with tremendous affection on the direction, fun and solace they enjoyed in their formative time under his wing.