A district councillor is preparing to face his fears in a 10,000ft tandem skydive to raise funds for a men’s mental health charity.
South Kesteven District Councillor Elvis Stooke’s leap of faith is taking place in aid of the Grantham Bhive Place2Bee club.
It provides somewhere to meet for people to discuss their issues in confidence with volunteer staff members and with each other, as well as helping them take positive steps in day-to-day living.
Cllr Stooke, who represents Belmont Ward in Grantham, said: “I’ll be dealing with just one hour of fear – and believe me, heights is one of my biggest fears. But this pales into insignificance compared with what some people face every day to simply lead what we might call a normal life.
“It’s been double the fear in some respects as, after a big build-up, my original date was cancelled on the morning of the jump due to bad weather – so I have to go through it all again now.
“When I was elected in 2023 I vowed to support a local charity. We don’t have many services that support men with mental health, so I was particularly struck by the Bhive group, which is a wonderful cause that helps men from such diverse backgrounds as foster care to the military.
“I support this group with a regular donation from my councillor allowance payment, and will continue to do so for my full term.
“I would ask anyone who can afford it to help me get closer to my £5,000 target. If these men can get through each day with their issues, I’m sure I can parachute out of a plane for their future.”
The event, at Sibson Aerodrome, is scheduled for Friday, 19th July, at 2.30pm.
Donations can be made online at www.gofundme.com/f/bhive-place2bee-mens-club-grantham
Image credit: Stock.adobe.com/Joggie Botma
