Matthew and Colin's Leap for Liver
Matthew’s leap in support of friend Bluey, who received support from the British Liver Trust after his transplant
L-R: Colin, Bluey and Matthew.
Matthew and Colin jumped in support of Bluey – Matthew’s friend and Colin’s nephew – and Colin’s wife who has an autoimmune liver condition. Colin had never been on a plane before – not even as a passenger!
With the help and support of their loved ones, they collectively raised a wonderful £3,130, including a matched funding donation from Matthew’s employer. Matthew has summarised his skydive challenge below:
“I experienced one of the most euphoric moments in my life and finally lived a childhood dream. Words cannot begin to describe the feelings that you experience, so all I will say is that I would tell everybody that they need to experience this, if only once in their lives.
Just as important, we have helped people have, I hope, a better understanding of liver health.”
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost?
Prices vary depending on the airfield you choose, but generally you will be asked to pay a non-refundable £70 deposit to Skyline. The remaining costs will be paid by the British Liver Trust, provided that you raise funds.
How much do I have to raise?
To cover the remaining costs (usually around £200) and funds towards our vital work in liver health, we ask for a minimum sponsorship of £400. This must be raised by two weeks prior to your jump.
Different airfields vary in cost and therefore we may ask for a higher minimum sponsorship target of £450 if the cost of your jump is £300 or more.
Where can I skydive from?
There are many airfields across the country that you can jump from, including:
- Auchterarder
- Cornwall
- Durham
- Grange-over-Sands
- Maidstone
- Netheravon
- Norwich
- Nottingham
Check out the full list and find your nearest airfield on Skyline’s website.
Are there any weight, age or medical restrictions to do the jump?
The weight limits for men and women can vary between airfields, and some airfield have a strict height to weight ratio – please check the Skyline map to see the limits at each airfield.
For the tandem skydives the minimum age is 16, however anyone aged 16 or 17 would need to have a parental consent form on the day of their jump. A few airfields have an upper age limit for tandem jumps: Cornwall has an upper age limit of 65, Lancaster and Whitchurch have a limit of 70 and Perthshire has a limit of 49.
The British Parachute Association (BPA) insist that all participants complete and bring a medical form with them on the day. Whether you need to get the form signed by a doctor depends on your medical condition – you can access the medical forms on Skyline’s website, in their FAQs section.
I am worried about the risk of COVID-19
Keep checking the Skyline and airfield website, and check the guidelines in your local area.
There are a number of COVID-secure measures that are being implemented by Skyline in order to allow for the skydive experience to be as safe as possible for all participants, spectators, staff and instructors, so please read and follow them carefully.
You can arrange a postponement with your airfield if you are unable able to take part.
How will the British Liver Trust fundraising team support me?
We can provide a free fundraising pack and t shirt, as well as top tips for raising funds. You can always email fundraising@britishlivertrust.org.uk or call us on 01425 481 320.
We hope you will join us for a fantastic adrenaline-fuelled day. Don’t forget to take some thrill-tastic photos of your leap and share them with us using the hashtag #LeapforLiver.