13,000ft Of Fundraising: Charity Skydive Raises £600 for CLAPA
A brave mum has marked her 30th birthday in style, by jumping 13,000ft from a plane raising over £600 for Cleft Lip and Palate Association (CLAPA).
Fern Armitage promised herself that when she turned 30, she would take on a skydive. True to her word, on Saturday, April 13th, She tumbled 13,000ft from a plane at the Hinton Skydiving Centre.
Fern chose to fundraise for CLAPA as her daughter, Avery, was born with a cleft lip and palate in 2021. Fern received support from CLAPA after her daughter’s diagnosis, she explained, “We were so daunted on what this would mean.”
After joining one of CLAPA’s online events for expecting parents, Fern felt she had the right support for when her baby arrived. “We joined one of their Zoom calls regarding feeding a cleft baby. It put our minds right at ease and gave us an insight into what to expect when she was born,” she said.
“We joined one of their Zoom calls regarding feeding a cleft baby. It put our minds right at ease and gave us an insight into what to expect when she was born,”
Many babies born with a cleft lip and/or palate may experience feeding difficulties from birth. CLAPA offers advice, guidance, and online support groups for new parents to help ease worries.
In addition, specialised bottles may be needed to support feeding. Fern explains how CLAPA was able to inform her family about the options available, “When it came to ordering bottles for our daughter they made it so easy. They even sent our older son a story book to read about having a sibling with a cleft.”
Fern felt she wanted to give back to CLAPA for the support her family received. She said “Anything I can do to help…I’m so overwhelmed by the money I have been able to raise for a small deserving charity and I urge others to do the same if they can.”
“I felt nervous but very excited before the dive. It wasn’t until I was hanging out of the plane that the reality of what I was doing hit me!”
“I felt nervous but very excited before the dive. It wasn’t until I was hanging out of the plane that the reality of what I was doing hit me!”
Fern’s family, including her daughter Avery, were waiting on solid ground. “I had my family and friends cheering me on and it brought home just why I was doing it. It’s a real sense of achievement and to know the money is going to go towards helping the charity is rewarding in itself.”
Inspired by Fern’s story? Why not join other skydivers around the UK and Jump For July?
CLAPA is challenging daredevils like Fern to take the jump and sign up for a skydive in July to help fund our vital support services. If you’re inspired by Fern and think you could take on the heights, all you need to do is pledge to fundraise for CLAPA and book your dive.
