*UPDATE* I did it 🧡🪂 Such an amazing experience! It was an extremely long day arriving at 8am to check in, clouds were thick yet we completed our safety training then spent the day in the cafe whilst we waited for the clouds to open. 🌫️ Spending time with families who have all been bereaved by suicide and are at different points in their grief journey was extremely humbling! 🧡This day felt like it was something else to connect us, rather than our experience of loss!🌧️ The clouds started the break and it looked extremely positive when the first flight were called for but the decision was quickly changed due to the weather turning. It very much made the day an emotional rollercoaster🌧️. Then, just as I sat down for my pie and chips 🥴.. we were called and we were off!! 🛩️🌤️ Equipment on.: parachute number chosen 🔴5️⃣ I stood and observed the first group and watched how TINY they appeared with their parachutes! 🪂 Bursting with pride for them and their achievement ⭐️ - we were ready to go.. bus to the plane and plane to sky, we took off in what felt like the smallest piece of tin ever but it did the job and did the job well!! 🛩️ Ant my instructor completed final checks and without any room or time for fear the pure excitement took over and next thing I was on the edge of the door and out! And WOW, falling, so fast, so incredible in such beautiful surroundings with the sun above the clouds 🌤️ - zero control but trusting the process and Ant which felt extremely similar to how I’ve had to let myself free fall in my grief and it’s The Headlight Project on my back supporting me, pulling that parachute cord and just being there! 🧡 The parachute is out and the super fast, breathtaking, out of control feeling changes to instant relief, awe at the surroundings and the calmness - the calm of me in the sky, appreciating the views, appreciating what I have around me, my beautiful children, my family and friends! 🧡 I chatted with Ant and he pointed out places and next thing (far too quickly) it was over!🪂🙇🏻‍♀️ We landed really well - even though it was muddy and wet, I was absolutely on a high! 🙋🏻‍♀️He asked me why I did it and I told him about Andy and the project which sadly suicide is also close to his heart but through this grief you find out really how many people have been affected by suicide and it’s far too many!! 🧡Once again The Headlight Project we’re there, waiting for me - like a protective little blanket, seeing Suzanne was extremely comforting. Seeing my mam and my little girl 👧🏼  sooo proud and excited was again so comforting. And the support and praise from the rest of the team - all who have tragically lost their own person yet we’ve been brought together like a big family to help and support each other! An amazing day, up and down (literally) but has made me so grateful for this family charity who are my parachute every day!! 🧡🪂 

I have set myself a huge challenge doing this! But after what we’ve been through this year I know I can do anything!! 

The charity has been amazing in supporting the children and I throughout the most devastating time of our lives, so if me doing this helps raise money to allow them to support other families then I simply HAVE to do it! 

Any donations including small amounts will add up and I will be extremely grateful for your support. Plus anyone who would like to join me feel free to get in touch 😅 Thank you 🙂

Founded in memory of Russ Devereux, the Headlight Project aims to reduce the number of deaths by suicide in the Teesside area, which has one of the highest regional rates in the country. We aim to achieve this by providing therapeutic support to families who have suffered a traumatic bereavement, as they are higher risk to die by suicide themselves. We deliver workshops in schools to talk around the subject and suicide awareness and prevention training to local organisations and workplaces.'A guiding light when the road ahead is dark...'