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On 23rd July 2016 I will be doing my first 10,000ft tandem skydive from a plane at Skydive St George at Durham Tees Valley Airport. All money raised will be going to The Brain Tumour Charity – The Lyam Kirkham Fund.

Lyam was the boyfriend of my dear buddy Beck, and he tragically passed away at 26-years-old on 12th March 2014 due to a spontaneous bleed on his brain caused by a high grade brain tumour.

Since Lyam passed away, Beck has tirelessly dedicated herself to fundraising for The Brain Tumour Charity, and has set up the The Lyam Kirkham Fund, with all money raised being allocated to high grade brain tumour research, in the hope that they can find a better way to diagnose, treat and eventually cure this devastating disease.

I will never forget the day I met Lyam and Beck. Lyam talked of the fundraising he’d been doing for The Walton Neuroscience Fund, a charity that helps others in his position. That week he’d shaved off his lovely long hair following treatment, and raised a huge amount of money for the charity. I was overwhelmed by his strength, selflessness, and tenacity despite everything he was going through. It was obvious what an incredible person he was.

I've decided to do a skydive because I am terrified of heights, I can’t even get past the third step on a ladder without clambering down in tears and resuming the foetal position… so this is going to be a huge challenge for me! But I know that by doing it, I will hopefully raise some money for such an important (and shockingly underfunded) area of cancer research. It’s a constant reminder for me to not be such a scaredy-cat!

On a final note, I also dedicate my skydive to the memory of my much missed and beloved grandparents Raymond and Christabel, who both sadly passed away due to brain tumours. I know they would have been so supportive (and I bet they’d have been the first to sponsor me too!)

Many thanks for reading this, any donation will be greatly appreciated. Donating though JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. 

Mary-Beth (aka Bee!) x