Domestic abuse is horrific for the men, women people who endure it and of the 2.1 million reported cases in the UK each year, roughly 1/3 (795,000) are male victims.

Mankind Initiative is the main UK domestic abuse charity for men, providing, information, support, signposting and confidential helplines, for those men suffering from the appalling physical and emotional effects of domestic abuse. They also raise awareness and campaign at a national level.

From dustmen to doctors, bankers, builders, military, victims come in all shapes and sizes, cultures and age groups, but due to the stigma for men of identifying as victims, or believing they should have it sorted, or admitting to being beaten up/abused by their wife, the level of under-reporting is high.

The helplines are essential in reducing the risk of suicide and in supporting men as they reach out for help. Some will be experiencing appalling violence, but still not fully know whether it's abuse or not, whether they deserved it or not, and whether there's a way forward.

Others will know they need to get out, but will be agonisingly worried about their children and what the future holds.

The helplines cost money to run, Mankind Initiative do a fantastic job (on a shoe-string budget) and as a former victim of domestic abuse, it's a topic which is very close to my heart.

I'd absolutely love it if you could support this cause and for anyone wondering ... for me, doing a parachute jump is NOT fun!

I'd much rather be sat at home, doing a sponsored watch of Breaking Bad or every episode of Match of the Day for the last year. I hate heights and I hate flying, so for my 50th birthday, I feel it's time to face the most terrifying fear I can face (a tandem parachute jump bringing together two of my greatest fears at the same time) and in order to support a wonderful cause.