‘I jumped out of a plane to raise money for KEF’

There’s something surreal about stepping out of a plane at 13,000 feet.

One moment, you’re strapped to an instructor called TJ – someone you met only 15 minutes ago – and the next, you are on a plane, having accepted that your life is now in his hands.

Before you know it, your heart is pounding, the wind is roaring in your ears, and you’re plummeting towards a field in Brackley at 120 mph, the ground rushing up to meet you.

Skydiving was the ultimate test of trust, adrenaline, and – most importantly – dedication to a cause greater than me.

On February 2, I took a leap for KEF Kids, an incredible charity that supports children and young people with disabilities.

KEF Kids creates an environment in which every young person has the opportunity to thrive, as well as ensuring that families receive much-needed regular respite.

I visited KEF’s Sunday Club prior to my skydive, and it radiated joy from the moment I entered the centre. As soon as I walked in, I was smiling and did not stop for the rest of the day.

I met a girl called Jess, who made me a necklace at Creativity Club and then proceeded to show me around. The way she spoke about KEF made me feel really proud to be supporting them. She showed me the huge soft-play and sensory room, and I could see how every child’s needs were met. Walking around, you could see how much KEF meant to the young people and their families.

The story truly started on November 8, when I emailed my mum while sitting in a physics class, declaring that I wanted to skydive for my 16th birthday. At that moment, it was just an idea, another one of my wild thoughts in the middle of an otherwise very mundane school day.

But the more I thought about skydiving, the more it became a mission and a goal.

With the encouragement of my family, I set up a fundraising page, hoping to raise £500 for KEF Kids. Never did I imagine that within weeks, I would surpass that goal six times over, raising a staggering £3,000.

Then, finally, the day arrived. I suited up, harnessed in, and climbed aboard. At 13,000 feet, the door slid open. The cold air rushed in, and my instructor gave me one final nod.

Freefalling was unlike anything I had ever experienced — the sheer force of the wind, the overwhelming rush of adrenaline, the breathtaking view. The world below looked so small, and it made me think about our place in the world — how tiny we are in the vastness of G-d’s creation, yet how much power we have to make a difference.

Chesed, the Jewish value of loving-kindness, teaches us that giving to others is one of the most powerful things we can do.

Every jump, every donation, and every conversation sparked by this challenge was a step towards ensuring that more children and families receive the support and joy they deserve.

If you would like to donate to Elodie’s fundraiser, click here