As part of the PhD I'm undertaking, my research focuses on improving the rabies vaccine. Rabies is considered to be the most deadly virus on the planet because there is no cure and leaves victims with zombie-like symptoms until they unfortunately die. With approximately 60,000 deaths annually, rabies is still endemic in parts of Asia and Africa and remains in bats all over the world. On the 23rd of September in honour of world rabies day (28th of Sept) I will be skydiving to raise money for the Mission Rabies charity. The Charity I’m raising money for has one aim: to eliminate rabies. Through mass vaccination campaigns and education programmes, the Charity has vaccinated over 738,825 dogs and delivered lifesaving lessons to 1,696,941 children in what is known as the world’s deadliest disease. The money raised will support the charity to continue making a direct impact in saving lives across the globe, whether through vaccination, education or surveillance.

I’m aware I am probably not the first person asking for a donation from you today, but donating just £5 will teach 10 children how to protect themselves against rabies; £15 will vaccinate and protect 10 dogs against rabies for a year, and £50 will equip a team of animal handlers with catching nets to safely and humanely catch and vaccinate stray dogs.

Despite being totally preventable, every day 100 children are dying from rabies in the most horrendous and uncomprehending way and if being out of my comfort zone helps to even marginally change that, then count me in!