Dorset Blind Association is offering a free skydive, donated by GoSkydive, to join a group jumping for the charity on 1 August in Salisbury.
On average, each person jumping will raise enough to support one blind person for a year, so the charity hopes the promotion will recruit more skydiving fundraisers.
Twenty people, including five visually impaired people, three staff and two volunteers of Dorset Blind Association, will jump from a plane at 10,000ft over Old Sarum airfield in Salisbury to help fund the charity’s work.
The competition in which one lucky participant will be able to jump for free, courtesy of GoSkydive, was inspired by a young man called James. He was blinded by a brain tumour and given a short time to live. Dorset Blind Association helped him to complete his bucket list, including flying a plane.
The winner of the competition will be the person who submits the best answer to the question: “What’s number one on your bucket list?” and people can enter using social media, phone or email.
There are an estimated 30,000 people with serious sight-loss in Dorset and Dorset Blind Association wants to help more of them, with the help of local fundraisers. It costs £325 per year to support somebody with sight-loss with a support worker, social clubs and a befriender. These services are literally life-changing for those who receive them.
As with all of DBA’s fundraising events, the skydive includes people with sight-loss: Jean who is 83 and young couple Dan and Shani who met through the Dorset Blind Association’s young social club ‘Socialeyes’.
Jean says, “DBA gives me the opportunity to try things I’ve not tried before, so I just think ‘go for it!’”
Dorset Blind Association promotes exciting activities for those with sight-loss all around the county with the ethos that ‘losing your sight doesn’t have to mean missing out’. The impact of these activities goes further than meets the eye, with members reporting increased confidence to move forward with other aspects of their lives such as seeking employment – or in Dan and Shani’s case – romance.
Jaya Da Costa, the charity’s fundraising manager, says, “A once-in-a-lifetime experience for you can be life-changing for someone else too. It is wonderful to see the local community coming together and doing something brave to help individuals who are struggling. This directly enables us to help more people to lead full and happy lives.”
If you want to join the charity and their supporters in an unforgettable experience and make an impact on one person’s life for a whole year, contact Jaya 01202 712864 or visit Dorset Blind Association on social media.
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