Ayrshire teen to Skydive for MND in memory of soldier dad
16 year old Nicole Mikkelsen from Ardrossan is taking the plunge with a sponsored skydive for MND Scotland, in memory of her dad, who passed away from Motor Neurone Disease in 2007.
16 year old Nicole Mikkelsen from Ardrossan is taking the plunge with a sponsored skydive for MND Scotland, in memory of her dad, who passed away from Motor Neurone Disease in 2007.
Nicole’s dad, John, was in the Royal Highland Fusiliers, a regiment of the British Army and was a member of the Golden Lions Parachute Regiment.
He was diagnosed with MND in 2002.
Nicole was just two year’s old at the time and John passed away 5 years later when he was only 31.
So far the teen has raised around £800 for the charity, which will spent on counselling and support services for families living with MND.
Nicole said, “I was seven years old when my dad died so although we didn’t have much time together, I still remember so much about him. My dad was a happy man. He knew most people in town and got on really well with everyone. He was a lot of fun too. I think he spoiled me because he knew we wouldn’t have long together. We would play all the time, go swimming and to the park – he would even let me play ‘taxi driver’ on his wheelchair. However, because he was in a wheelchair it was never just the two of us. My whole family made time to come and see my dad, so the house was usually busy.
“I always remember Dad being in a wheelchair. It was normal for me but I still knew he was sick. I would get awards at school for doing well and caring for my dad at the same time – so I knew I wasn’t the same as the other kids in my class.
“My nana tells me about how I would often sit in her house playing with dolls like any other girl my age, but as soon as I would go home to see my dad I would change. Instead of playing I helped my dad eat, I’d get things for him and generally help my mum care for him. I didn’t mind but I know this must have been really hard for him because I was so young, and not long before that he would have been caring for and feeding me.
“I remember my dad being rushed to hospital one day and I was kept off school and taken out for the day. When I came home the house was full of my family as usual, but this time everyone seemed upset. I just knew what my mum was about to tell me. My dad had died. I don’t really remember what this felt like but I’m not sure I fully understood that I would never be able to see him again.”
The 21st March 2016 marks the 9th anniversary of John’s death and Nicole has decided to honour her dad’s memory in a very special way; by taking the leap with her uncle, Chris Dickie, from Edinburgh.
“I am doing a tandem skydive with my dad’s brother, Uncle Chris. I think he is even more excited about doing it than I am! My dad did lots of skydives through work, so doing one is my way of saying thank you to him for always putting on a brave face for me, and to pay my respects to him for what an amazing man… and dad he was. He really was my best friend.
“I’m also doing this to raise money for an amazing charity very close to my heart, called MND Scotland, which supports people who have been affected by or diagnosed with MND. I want to help put a stop to this cruel disease. Let there be no more families who have to go through the heart ache of losing a loved one from MND. If anyone can donate, all contributions would be greatly appreciated at www.justgiving.com/Nicole-Mikkelsen.”
Iain McWhirter, Head of Fundraising and Volunteering at MND Scotland, said, “I want to thank Nicole and Chris for supporting us and for raising vital funds and awareness for MND.
“Without supporters like them we wouldn’t be able to continue to fund research to find a cure, to support people in Scotland who have been affected by MND or campaign on behalf of people with this devastating illness.
“We provide one-to-one counselling, support groups, complementary therapy, a loan of our communications equipment, benefits advice and more. If you’d like more information about what we can do for you or if you’d like to do something to support MND Scotland, please check out our website.”