Parachuting for a pure cause: Kildare residents asked to participate in Skydive For Life fundraiser

A suicide prevention charity is appealing for County Kildare residents to participate in its Skydive for Life fundraising initiative.

According to the Youth Suicide Preventon Ireland (YSPI), the minimum fundraising target for this event is €600, which includes the cost of a participant's skydive. There is no registration fee required.

Explaining the reason behind the County Kildare Skydive for Life, the YSPI said in a statement: "Ireland still has one of the highest reported rates of death by suicide in the European Union, with young males under 21 being most at risk, but children as young as 9 years old have died by suicide too.

"Our experience is that the actual rate is much higher, and almost no school or community in the country is untouched by losing someone to suicide."

The YSPI continued: "Skydiving is an amazing experience as you freefall through the clouds and see the stunning Irish countryside stretching away to the horizon.

"By raising sponsorship for your County Kildare Skydive For Life, you will be helping the YSPI to fund our programmes for 2025 and beyond."

The group also said that due to the huge increase in mental health issues since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, all funds raised from the Skydive For Life will go towards our Youth Crisis Counselling Service.

It asserts that these funds will pay for "fast, free, access to local counsellors and psychologists for young people in crisis or at immediate risk of suicide or self-harm".

The YSPI concluded by saying: "The County Kildare Skydive For Life will take place on August 2, 2025 or any other weekend that suits you subject to availability."

Every skydive event organised by the YSPI will take place at the Irish Parachute Club in Clonbullogue, County Offaly.

For registration and / or further information about this fundraiser, click here.

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