We are raising funds for the SENDS 4 Dad support group created for fathers of children with special educational needs and disabilities. I aim to collect £1,000 and on the 20th of August 2022, I will make my 15,000 ft parachute jump with North London Skydiving: ukskydiving.com

I’m keen to give myself a good fright so I upgraded the regular 10,000ft jump to 15,000ft, which at the altitude of almost 3 miles is the highest tandem parachute jump available in the UK.

I’m a proud father of Emily & Simon and when my son was first diagnosed with autism I didn’t know where to find help and support. Although parenting a child with special needs is very fulfilling it also brings its own set of challenges and requires almost boundless energy and mental fortitude to fight for the right support in education and daily life, as prejudice and lack of inclusion are sadly still common.

When Simon was first diagnosed, I began attending numerous training sessions to learn more about the autism spectrum disorder and it struck me, that men are largely underrepresented during disability support sessions. Paul Meadows, who established the SENDS 4 DAD support group, works tirelessly to encourage fathers/male carers to get more actively involved in their children’s lives by organizing social events and activity days out including boxing classes, footgolf matches and river cruises. During our support meetings we provide each other with moral support, share real life experiences and parenting tips. When I attend the support meetings, I’m confident that I can speak openly about my personal challenges without the fear of being judged or misunderstood, as we all face similar problems. Our children are also invited to attend the activity sessions so they can make friends and develop social skills in a safe and supportive environment, as meeting new people can be tricky for autistic kids. Attending family days out and participating in sport activities offers busy fathers a great opportunity to bond with their children and meet other families.

Please give generously and help us fund further support meetings, where we celebrate big and small victories, share success and setback stories, that are an integral and enriching part of our lives.