Youth Talk supporters have often been known to go the extra mile by walking coastal paths, running marathons, climbing mountains – but last Sunday, five brave souls took to the skies for us!
As part of our work with Helping Herts, we were given the opportunity for supporters to sign up to a skydive, raise funds, and get those funds matched by Helping Herts. Truly not for the fainthearted, we are so grateful to Sean, Beth, David, Charlotte and Dan who all stepped up to be the inaugural Youth Talk Jump Team.
After a couple of postponements due to windy weather, our Jump Team were finally able to take the leap last Sunday, and we’ve caught up with Dan about how it all went:
On Sunday 23 August, I did something that was exciting, terrifying and completely unforgettable: I jumped out of a plane to raise money for Youth Talk. It was something I had wanted to do for a long time, and supporting such a great cause gave me the perfect opportunity to finally take the leap.
Thanks to the incredible generosity of friends, family and colleagues, I raised more than £2,000 and, alongside the sponsorship of the other brave souls who jumped with me and extremely generous match funding, we raised almost £12,000. An amount that massively exceeded my expectations and made every nerve-wracking moment worthwhile.
I wanted to support a charity that makes a real and lasting difference.
As a parent, I am particularly conscious of the challenges facing young people and the importance of making support available when they need it. Young people today face enormous pressures, and having a safe place where they can speak openly and be heard can be life-changing. Nobody should have to struggle alone, and cost should never be a barrier to receiving help. I wanted to do something that would not only raise money but also help bring attention to Youth Talk and the vital work it does in our community.
In the days leading up to the skydive, there was a mixture of excitement and the occasional thought of, “What have I agreed to?”
On the ground, it still felt slightly unreal. Even after getting into the equipment, receiving the safety briefing and boarding the aircraft, part of me could not quite believe I was actually going to jump. I was also incredibly lucky to be jumping alongside four other people for Youth Talk. They were the best group of people I could have wished to share the experience with. Having them there made the day even more special, and we were able to support and encourage one another throughout the nerves, excitement and anticipation.
As the plane climbed and everything below became smaller, the reality began to sink in. Then the door opened. There is nothing that can fully prepare you for that moment. Every natural instinct tells you that jumping out of a perfectly good aircraft is a ridiculous idea – and then, suddenly, you are out.
The initial rush of freefall was extraordinary. It was intense, exhilarating and unlike anything I had experienced before. Once the parachute opened, everything changed. The noise and speed gave way to an incredible sense of calm, with time to look around, take in the view and appreciate what I had just done. Landing safely brought a huge mixture of relief, pride and excitement. More than anything, I felt grateful – grateful for the experience, grateful to everyone who supported me and grateful that the jump had encouraged so many people to donate.
More than just a skydive
The challenge lasted a relatively short time, but the money raised will help Youth Talk continue providing support to young people when they may need it most.
I would like to say a heartfelt thank you to every person who donated, shared the fundraising page, sent a message of encouragement or supported me along the way. Raising more than £2,000 was only possible because so many people chose to get behind the challenge. I am also incredibly grateful to the other four people who jumped for Youth Talk. Sharing the experience with them made the day truly unforgettable. And, of course, a huge thank you to the team at Helping Herts who made the skydive possible.
I am proud to have taken the leap for such an important cause – and I hope the money and awareness raised will help Youth Talk continue changing young lives. Would I do it again? Perhaps ask me when my feet have been back on solid ground for a little longer!
Thanks to Dan for sharing, and for being part of an amazing 'Club'!