Bradford College

Peter Takes the Plunge

Peter Maggs certainly made a splash when he took on a wacky fundraising challenge with a twist earlier this month. Peter somersaulted a total of 100 times from Shipley swimming pool’s 16ft diving board, in a bid to raise money for Yorkshire’s own national heart charity, Heart Research UK.  

Peter, an IT specialist at the College, managed to handstand off the platform board and somersault into the 12ft deep diving pool, get out and climb the 20 steps to the top and repeat the process until he reached his goal of 100 dives.

After having a heart attack himself, back in 1998, Peter feels strongly about raising money for pioneering research into the prevention, treatment and cure of heart disease. This year, will be his second somersaulting challenge for the charity, as last year he successfully completed 100 somersaults on a trampoline.

Peter said: “When I had my heart attack Bradford esprit diving club supported me and helped me get back into a routine of regular exercise, which is why I wanted to take my fundraising to the next level and somersault into the pool 100 times. It was a physically demanding experience; climbing the steps up to the top board alone, 100 times, was a climb of 1600 feet.”   

Leon Taylor, Olympic Silver Medallist Diver and inventor of "the world's most difficult dive", speaking before Pete’s fundraising challenge said: “Peter’s event sounds really fun but it’s definitely going to be a challenge, my advice would be to make sure you get your breath back before each dive - that many dives will take it out of you!

I admire Peter, it must have been terrible experience when he had his heart attack but it’s great that he has turned it into something positive like raising money for Heart Research UK.”

Barbara Harpham, National Director at Heart Research UK, added: “It’s great to hear that Peter has chosen to support us for a second time. His alternative, inspiring fundraising challenge is bound to turn a few heads at the pool side and raise awareness of Heart Research UK. We would like to thank Peter for all his fundraising efforts and wish him the best of luck with this exciting challenge.”

Pete successfully completed the challenge he set himself – inspiring others with his determination to succeed, whilst also raising much needed funds for such a worthwhile cause - Yorkshire’s own national heart charity, Heart Research UK.

Pete reflected: “In 1998 I had a heart attack at work. Some time later, when the College was running one of its Healthy College programmes, ‘Treasure your Heart Week’, Heart Research UK visited the College. Having found out it was a charity, I then decided it was time to pay a little back for all the support I had received from friends colleagues and other organisations that got me back on my feet. My first challenge, back in 2010, was to complete 100 somersaults on a trampoline. That one took me 21 minutes – this year’s challenge took a little bit longer at 2 hours 27 minutes but it was worth it to raise over £600."