D-Day skydives raise £37,000 for Alabaré
The money will help a Salisbury charity to support homeless veterans
More than £37,000 has been raised for Salisbury charity Alabaré - by 47 people skydiving to support homeless veterans.
The parachute jumps were held at Old Sarum Airfield to mark the 80th anniversary of the D-Day Landings.
Some of those who took part have been explaining why they took part.
At the age of 80, Mervyn Wheatley made the jump cheered on by his wife Penny - both long-time supporters of Alabaré - and said:
"I did it because I've been following Alabaré for some time now and saw this Eighty for 80 – D-Day Skydive for Alabaré. Being an ex-Royal Marine with 33 years under my belt, and having celebrated my 80th birthday in November, it felt like the perfect time to dive for a good cause. The dive itself was interesting. I didn't like the freefall, but when the parachute opened, I really enjoyed the experience."
A team of 10 teachers from Stonehenge School in Amesbury also joined the skydive.
The school also regularly takes part in the BIG Sleep at Salisbury Cathedral to raise awareness for homelessness.
The funds raised through this event will go directly toward supporting Alabaré’s Homes for Veterans, which provides accommodation and support to veterans across England and Wales.
These veterans, many of whom have struggled to adjust to civilian life, will receive housing, guidance, and the tools they need to rebuild their lives.
Rebecca Mullen, Fundraising Events & Development Manager at Alabaré, said:
“We are incredibly grateful to all our skydivers and supporters who made this event such a success. From young students celebrating their GCSEs to our 80-year-old veteran supporter, the courage shown was inspiring. Every penny raised will make a real difference in the lives of the veterans we support, helping to provide homes, care, and a brighter future.”