Labour councillor Kevin Shaw will take to the skies before making a 10,000ft leap of faith to raise vital funds for North East veterans.
The Dawdon Division representatives is taking part in a charity skydive in August to raise money for the East Durham Veterans Trust (EDVT), for which is a Trustee and Chair.
Cllr Shaw will take part in the day-long event – which is in its third year at Shotton Airfield and has supported over 220 veterans – and organised by the EDVT, which offers counselling programmes, financial help and housing advice to veterans, as well as supporting their families with mental health support.
Rather than spectating, as he has done for the past two years, Cllr Shaw decided to take the plunge this year, participating with the aim of raising as much cash as possible. He said:
“I’m feeling strangely calm about it, but things will be different when the wheels of the plane lift off from Shotton Airfield! This event is overseen and organised by professionals who have conducted hundreds of skydives over many years, so I know I’m in safe hands.
“EDVT is a fantastic charity that offers vital, direct support to our veterans, so I’m incredibly proud to support such a great charity that I am passionate about. Not only will the funds raised help former servicemen and women, but also support their families.
“I wanted to do something practical as Chair of the Trust, to raise the important work it does. I’m doing it to raise the Trust’s profile and help highlight the work done all day everyday by the CEO Andy Cammiss and the tremendous staff and volunteers supported by our trustees. Every penny we raise in sponsorship will directly help a veteran in East Durham, so please, if you can spare a few quid, drop me some sponsorship.”
The skydive takes place on 28 August 2023, with sponsorship going to the EDVT, which was founded by veteran Andrew Cammiss after he was diagnosed with PTSD when leaving the Armed Forces. He discovered little help for veterans and families, as they readjusted to civilian life. The Trust aids military personnel leaving the Armed Forces, families of veterans and veteran struggling with their mental health, offers housing and financial support, helps address food and fuel poverty and provides activities to remove social exclusion. The trust is located within Dawdon Community Centre.
Cllr Shaw added:
“There is so little help available to veterans leaving the armed forces, so this charity is something I’m passionate about supporting and being a part of. I’m looking forward to the event and any support and sponsorship is greatly appreciated and going to a well-deserved cause.”
The skydive will take place on 28th August 2023 at Shotton Airfield and donations can be made here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/kevin-shaw-skydive