So although it's long since fell off, about 20 years ago, a Skydive became a bucket list item for me but I never actually did it.

I am a lot older now, wiser... and truth be told, a lot more scared! Hence avoiding it for so long!

I really wanted to achieve the jump by the age of 40, but as the courage got less and less, I began accepting that it would never happen.

However, with our companies chosen charity being the Children's Bereavement Center this year, and me actually turning 40 this May, everything has aligned and finally given me the push to take the leap (out of the plane!) The main drive, having spoken with my mum a lot more in recent times (please read below) means that raising funds for such a charity, means even more to me now.

Within my own donation, I will be covering the full cost of the jump so any donations recieved, will be going directly to the charity.

When my mum was a child, she was daddy's girl. Her dad was everything to her. Her guide, her protector, her best friend. He was her hero.

He passed away suddenly when my mum was just 15 years old. She was still a child.

Whilst I'm sure losing a parent as a adult doesn't make things any easier, it's difficult to imagine how a child would even begin to process that kind of loss in their lives. Especially when the person they would lean on in such difficult times, is the one person that is no longer there.

It was only when my own daughter reached the age of around 15 that I really began to apprecaite how lost and scared my mum must have felt as that young girl, losing her dad. Yet I still cannot even begin to imagine.

Over the years, conversation about my mums dad has always been kept short. The pain is just too much for her.

My mum is now 66.

With recent events, she has been able to talk about the past and has opened up alot more.

She never grieved properly when she was a child. She didn't know how. That coiled up, unprocessed childhood pain has lived with her all her life, raw as the day it happened, all those years ago.

When she was a child, she didn't feel able to talk to anyone about her losing her father. She wasn't close to any other adults like she was her dad and didn't want to burden her grieving mother. Her friends and peers wouldn't understand.

That young child, who's world fell apart overnight, trying to process that sudden immense pain and sadness all by herself.

She must have felt so alone.

When my mum was a child, there was little or no support networks for children trying to cope with the loss of a parent.

Support has improved over the years but there is still work to be done and this can only continue with our support.

If a child loses a key person in their lives, let's not let them deal with it alone.

If you can, no matter how big or small, please do help to make things that little bit more bearable for the next child that has to deal with something like this.

Something that no child should ever have to go through.

Your donation is appreciated.

Thankyou.

Craig.

The Children’s Bereavement Centre depends on the kindness of supporters like you to help the growing number of children, young people, and families who turn to us after the death or terminal illness of someone they love.

By sponsoring my skydive, you’re not just cheering me on, you’re helping provide care, comfort and support when it’s needed most.

Last year, the Centre supported over 1,550 people, and the need is rising. Every donation, big or small, makes a real difference.

Thank you so much for your support—it means the world.