Flying high Headteacher skydives for charity supporting children with cancer

‘…I have never done anything this adventurous before’ Tanya Smith, Headteacher at Stanstead Flying High Academy.

Tanya Smith, Headteacher at Stanstead Flying High Academy in Rise Park, Nottingham, has carried out a skydive to raise money for PASIC, a charity supporting children and young people with cancer.

Tanya says she decided to do the jump following a conversation with her father, Raphael Richards. She said, “PASIC is a charity that my dad raises money for every year, usually by arranging a golf event. I always give him some sponsor money in support as it is a hugely worthwhile cause.

“But this year on our family social media chat he said he was going to do a skydive and asked me and other family members to jump out of a plane with him! What followed was lots of laughing face emojis and swift messages declining his suggestion! For some reason I don’t quite understand, I thought, why not?  Even though I have never done anything this adventurous before!”

Tanya has since carried out her skydive with the assistance of Joe Mann, Tandem Instructor at Sky Langer (pictured) and funded her jump so that all the money raised goes directly to the charity. She was joined on the skydive with other family members, and her father Raphael Richards.

She says the support shown to her fundraising effort has gone beyond her expectations. “Family, friends and work colleagues have sponsored me or donated to the charity and so far, we have raised over £1300 and its still rising!

“I am so glad I decided to join my father’s efforts this year. Since, signing up for the sky dive a few months ago, I have been learning a lot more about this amazing charity and its history. It started off as a parent association in 1977, created by a hospital consultant and a group of parents to support the needs of families dealing with the diagnosis and treatment of a child with cancer. They felt that whilst children were receiving the very best care from the clinical team, additional support was needed for parents and families dealing with the devastating impact of childhood cancer. The group of parents, with the help of staff, set up a self-help group to support others in the same situation facing treatment for childhood cancer. Over the years, this group has developed to what is now PASIC and over that time they have helped hundreds of children at Nottingham Children’s hospital and currently support around 300 families.

Tanya said she didn’t feel any nerves on the day, despite a fear of heights, and that children at her school, Stanstead Flying High Academy in Rise Park were behind her efforts. “Many of our school children were really excited when I told them what I was doing and have been keen to see the pictures I have from the day.

“I am grateful to everyone that has supported the fundraising, and hope that more people will look to support the work this amazing charity carries out for children and their families throughout the East Midlands.”

For more information about the charity, please follow the link:  https://www.pasic.org.uk/ or to donate to Tanya’s Just Giving page please follow the link: Tanya Smith is fundraising for PASIC – Cancer support for children and young people (justgiving.com)