update: The skydive was postponed thanks to low-lying cloud, but 32 hours after it was originally planned I jumped out of that plane and it was incredible, specially doing the backward somersaults at 15 000 feet! =D

Huge thanks to everyone for their support with this. 

pics are here =)

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On the 27th July 2010 I shall be strapped to a professional (I hope!) Skydiver and launching myself out of a tiny plane somewhere above Devon in order to raise awareness of (and hopefully some money for) the Mental Health Charity Mind and its Time to Change Project. I have saved to cover the cost of the jump myself, meaning that I can make this an opportunity to raise awareness and that ALL of the money raised will go directly to Mind! =D

Why Mind? Well a few of you know my story and some of you have your own stories, but chances are you all know someone who has been affected by mental health issues. With one in four people likely to experience a mental health problem every year it is critical that we raise awareness and promote good mental health for the benefit of all members of society. The 27th July 2010 is a celebratory date for me in my story, what better way to mark it than stepping out of a plane at almost 3 miles up?!

Since it is going to be a massive challenge for me to get to the level of fitness required to jump, if I can collect sponsorship for doing so then all the better. My aim is to raise £500 for Mind through people sponsoring me to deny myself the chocolatey goodness I depend upon and to become a lean mean exercising machine!

Everyone has mental health. Mental health is simply the term for how you are feeling on the inside. It is an expression used to describe your mental wellbeing, your emotional capabilities and your thought processes.

It’s not a diagnosis; it doesn’t mean something is wrong.

Then why are we scared of it?

Time to Change is a stigma-busting project led by Mind and Rethink. It is England's most ambitious programme to end discrimination faced by people who experience mental health problems with a vision to make lives better for everyone by ending mental health discrimination and to inspire people to work together to end the discrimination surrounding mental health.

As the leading Mental Health Charity for England and Wales, Mind is a force for change. Mind works tirelessly to promote good mental health and to help everybody who experiences mental health difficulties, including their families, friends and employers. Mind works to ensure that everyone affected by mental health issues have their voices heard and are treated fairly, positively and with respect. Through their campaigns they push for those who influence change to work together to bring about improved services, better legislation, protection of legal rights and a more accepting attitude among employers.

Thank you for reading my blurb, I hope you feel able to challenge people's perceptions and to help destroy the stigma associated with mental ill-health. Please check out the websites for Mind and Time to Change for loads of information, including Mind's brilliant A - Z of Mental Health. Also, please have a look at the video on this page and perhaps share it on Facebook or Twitter. Peer education is one of the most successful ways to spread a message.

Sooz

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If you are still reading and would like to make a donation, then that would be fantastic, thank you. Outlined below are some of the ways that the money raised can help Mind to improve people's lives: (no minimum donation amount)

£7.50 could pay for specially trained MindinfoLine staff to answer one enquiry from someone needing support and information.

£15 could help to produce and update Mind's award-winning information resources on topics including self harm, anxiety and post-natal depression.

£20 could help to support a local Mind association befriending scheme for those experiencing mental distress who cannot easily leave their homes.

£50 could help support a local Mind association provide training programmes and work experience for people recovering from mental illness.

£75 could help Mind lobby the Government to provide better safeguards and treatment for people who are prescribed drugs for their mental health problems.

Thank you once again for taking the time to read and donate, it is greatly appreciated. =)

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.