2 young people in Gloucestershire are raising funds for a suicide prevention charity after losing 2 friends to suicide – and doing it via a skydive despite both of them being absolutely terrified of heights.

Charlie Waplington and Elise Gardiner were hit hard by the tragic loss of friends Arro and Ed and wanted to take on a challenge to honour their memory.  The girls are undertaking a skydive – determined to overcome their  fear of heights – and the duo have decided to use the opportunity to raise funds for suicide prevention charity Papyrus Prevention of Young Suicide.

Suicide is the biggest killer of people under 35 in the UK,  yet few people know anything about suicide prevention.  It is often only when it touches you personally that people recognise the risk to young people and the impact a suicide can have on family, friends and loved ones.

Elise explains:

“This is a charity very close to our hearts as we have both been affected by the loss of our 2 dear friends, Ed and Arro.

“We believe that everyone can play a role in suicide prevention and we support this charity.  We need to work towards a society which speaks openly about suicide and has the resources to save young lives. ”

Charlie added:

“It was coming up to a year since we lost Ed, and we lost Arro, Ed’s former classmate, a little earlier. Losing both of them hit our whole group hard, so we decided to do something to honour their memory.  These were young men who were popular and loved by friends and family, and if more people were aware of the risk factors and where to point friends who we know may be struggling for support and advice, it’s possible we could prevent others from going through the loss we have.”

“We wanted to do something to remember them but also to help others – tackling a massive fear seemed a great way to do it.  I am really terrified but remembering Ed and Arro, and focusing on the money we can raise to help others like them, is all the motivation we need.

The pair have already raised £870 via their Go Fund Me page and the Skydive is planned for 18 September.

You can support them here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/sky-dive-fundraiser-prevention-of-young-suicide

Image shows Charlie with Ed (left) and Arlo with Elise (right)