ROCKINGHAM –- Paragliding has made its way into Richmond County with an event called Parajam in the Ham.
People from around the country as well as from around the world gathered in the Richmond County Airport to enjoy the fun of paragliding.
Carolina PPG, a school run by Darren Locklear and Allen Surratt, is based in the Richmond County Airport and this event looks to bring awareness of the safe fun of paragliding, as well as help charitable causes.
“ParaJam proudly gives back. Event proceeds support charitable causes, pilots in need, and organizations that advance powered paragliding while giving back to the Rockingham community that makes this gathering possible,” reads the website for the event.
Locklear was able to give more specific causes. Resurgence PPG helps veterans deal with life after war by paragliding. Aurora PPG works to increase the involvement of women and girls in the sport. He also founded a school called Carolina PPG, which looks to spread the sport of paragliding. On top of this, he talked about a specific pilot that he wanted to help with the proceeds.
“There was an outfit in Egypt that let us fly and we toured the Pyramids. So, during the trip, she was injured and she’s paralyzed now … The main reason I started this was for her and the proceeds to help her with her medical conditions and bills and stuff,” said Locklear.
This event began on Thursday, May 14 and is scheduled to go on until Sunday, May 17. More information can be found on the website parajam.com.