My daughter Thea's life changed on the 26th of May 2012 when her partner Captain Stepehen Healey from 1st Battalion the Royal Welsh was killed in action in Afghanistan. 

 

Steve was highly loved and honoured in our family and he made my daughter so very happy I was proud to have him as part of our family. 

 

That dreaded day I will never forget, receiving that phone call from Thea was the worst phone all I have ever received and I will never ever forget. Seeing my daughter go through that heartache and loss was the worst thing for any father to watch and there was nothing I could do to make that pain go away for her. 

 

We supported as much as we could and we would be there anytime day or night. I watched her start building back her life and was truly proud and inspired by the way she got up and started fundraising for Blind Veterans UK in honour of Steve by running 415miles over a year by entering various full and half marathons! She raised an amazing £16000 alongside others who ran with her. 

 

I have never been a runner and at the age of 62 I wasn't going to start but I really wanted to do something for Steve but didn't know what?? 

 

Last summer Thea started planning her next challenge - Ironman New Zealand in Taupo which is known for its skydive centres. One discussion in the car ended up in me tentavly agreeing to complete a tandem skydive a day after Thea completes the Iron Man. 

 

So the plan is weather dependent of course is to complete a Tandem Skydive on the 2nd of March in Taupo New Zeaalnd (if weather is poor then it will be completed at an appropriate time during our 3 week trip in NZ) My aim is raise money for Blind Veterans UK a charity Steve supported.

 

This is my way of doing something to honour an amazing man who we all miss so so much who made my daughter so very very happy - so please if you can spare a few £'s please donate :-)  100% of the donations will go to the charity I will fund the skydive. 

 

Thank you, hopefully we will land in one piece :-)