Scarborough pair are skydiving to keep mental health in Mind

Two friends from Scarborough are facing their fears for charity.
John Duck and Zoe Rushfirth are facing their fears to raise cash.John Duck and Zoe Rushfirth are facing their fears to raise cash.
John Duck and Zoe Rushfirth are facing their fears to raise cash.

John Duck and Zoe Rushfirth will be completing a 10,000 feet skydive on September 23 at East Leys Farm, Grindale.

Both John and Zoe are raising money for Scarborough, Whitby and Ryedale Mind which provides advice and support to help anyone experiencing a mental health problem.

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The charity is close to both their hearts but for different reasons.

John, 38, wants to reduce the stigma around mental health due to his own personal battle with depression.

He said: “Having suffered with depression myself in the past I know that there is a stigma around it. People are embarrassed by it and they shouldn’t be.

“The charity isn’t in the limelight like other charities for health problems and there isn’t a lot out there for mental health. I’m doing this to raise money for a local charity and a good cause.”

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Zoe, 33, is completing the skydive in honour of her friends.

She said: “My best friends’ son killed himself in January and I know a lot of people who have mental health issues.

“I have always wanted to do a skydive, and as Scarborough, Whitby and Ryedale Mind is close to my heart, I thought it would be a good way to raise funds and bring mental health more into the open locally.”

For John, who moved to Cayton in 2003, this will be his first time in an aeroplane.

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He said: “Phillip [Admin and Finance Officer at Scarborough, Whitby and Ryedale Mind] said we will be getting in a white rickety plane which means the first plane I’ll be getting in will be rickety and I’ll be getting out before it lands!

“I’m also petrified of heights.”

They both have a target of £500 each but they hope to exceed it.