Jumping for Love4Life

Congratulations to four intrepid thrill seekers from the Love4Life team – Jim, Jenna, Lauren, and Mark – who took to the skies and braved a skydive, all in support of Love4Life.

Love4Life is a friendship and dating network for autistic people and people with a learning disability, with around 300 members. Through Love4Life events, workshops and sessions, they learn new skills, make friends and build their confidence.

The demand for Love4Life’s services is growing. We are a vital resource as many of our members receive no other support. We are their only lifeline.

The Love4Life team have already raised more than £2500, and every penny will go towards funding our Love4Life networks in Hampshire, Coventry and London.

We caught up with the team to find out how their skydive went!

North Hampshire Coordinator Mark said: “It was quite an unbelievable experience! It was at the moment I saw Jim sitting in the open doorway of the plane, legs over the edge, that it became real what I was about to do. When I landed I just wanted to jump for joy and couldn’t stop smiling. I want to go up again!”

Jenna, who coordinates the Love4Live Coventry network, said: “As the aircraft climbed higher, my anxiety only grew, but thankfully, I had my amazing team with me. As soon as I took the leap and felt the rush of free-falling through the sky, every bit of fear vanished. I felt more alive than ever before. It was easily one of the best feelings I’ve ever had, and knowing I was doing it to support Love4Life made it even more special.

The experience was not just about conquering fears but also about making a difference. I’m grateful to everyone who supported me and to the team who made the jump unforgettable. Skydiving for Love4Life was truly a life-changing adventure.

Every jump helped raise money to fund the important work Love4Life does. Thanks to the generous support of our funders and supporters, Love4Life members get to explore new interests, learn new skills and leave loneliness behind.

Hampshire Coordinator Lauren said: “Prior to the skydive I felt completely terrified! I wondered if I was truly brave enough to get on the aeroplane, take the flight and jump out of it as planned. I reminded myself as to why I decided to do this in the first place and decided there was no way I was backing out now! All in all, it was an incredible experience that I will likely remember for a lifetime. But you certainly won’t catch me doing it again any time soon.

The members of Love4Life have been so supportive throughout the experience and I feel so proud to have raised such an incredible amount of money with the team for them!

Jim, who manages Love4Life’s volunteering programme, said: “The falling out of the plane door was gut wrenching, the subsequent freefall was intense and the final floaty bit was sublime. A life changing experience for a fantastic charity. If you’re thinking about it – roll up it’s your turn next!”

If you want to find out more about doing a skydive for Love4Life, email fundraising@love4life.org.uk

It’s not too late to support our amazing skydivers too! Make a donation