Bungee-jump survivor puts fitness to the test ahead of Guinness World Record attempt

A branding expert, who cheated death when his bungee snapped during a jump, and who hopes to break the Guinness World Record for pulling a van, is staging a practice session and inviting people to come and cheer him on.

Mike Land, from Swindon, who runs Nickel Design, aims to pull a 1.5 tonne van as far as possible in 24 hours and beat the current record of 32 miles (51.5km). It’s all in aid of Wiltshire Air Ambulance, and Mike hopes to raise £12,000 – the amount it costs every day to run the lifesaving service.

This is the latest fundraiser by Mike, who raises money for a number of health-related causes, all inspired by a near-death-experience, when his rope snapped during a bungee jump.

Doctors feared Mike would never make a full recovery, but luckily the medics were wrong and Mike has spent the last 30 years since the accident pushing himself to the limit with ever-daring feats, including abseiling down Portsmouth’s Spinnaker Tower.

The date for the official record has yet to be set, but Mike is staging a practice pull on May 9, at Cotswold Airport, near Cirencester, and inviting sponsors and the public to come and cheer him on. They can even have a go themselves.

“The support has been fabulous, from everyone in my networking circle to Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce, liking and sharing my social media, handing out my leaflets and allowing me to share my story and challenge,” said Mike.

“This has taken my initial £1,500 pledge to a whopping £12,000, and with everyone's help and support, I feel confident that I can reach this target.”

Mike’s world record attempt was originally planned to be staged in 2023, at Cotswold Airport, but the venue didn’t meet Guiness’s strict criteria for ground levels. Now, it has been relocated to RAF Locking, near Weston-Super-Mare, coincidentally the last place that Mike’s dad, who was in the RAF, was stationed. The date for the attempt is likely to be in August.

Mike is still looking for donations and for businesses who would like to sponsor him and have their logo on the Fiat Doblo, which has been generously loaned by Scarrotts Van & Minibus Centre, in Royal Wootton Bassett.

“I couldn’t do any of this without the support and services of the team, Cotswold Airport, Scarrotts Van & Minibus Centre, Aura Signs, Howdens, Trakm8, Secure Safety Solutions and Bernard Geomatics.”

To sponsor Mike visit https://www.givengain.com/ap/mike-land-raising-funds-for-wiltshire-air-ambulance.