The Mayor of the City of Derby, Cllr Jonathan Smale, has announced he will make a tandem skydive from 15,000 feet on 21 August in support of two local charities.
Fundraising for local causes
Cllr Smale has chosen the Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre and the Living Recovery Foundation as his civic charities for the event. He said the parachute jump will help raise money for causes that benefit residents across Derby and Derbyshire, and that the role of mayor provided a timely opportunity to do something ambitious for charity.
“I’m a bit of an adrenaline junkie! I’ve jumped from the Stratosphere in Las Vegas. I’ve always said I need to do a sky dive and I think the best way to do that is for charity – and me being mayor has given me the perfect opportunity.”
The Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre has been offering free holidays since 1891, operating from its base in Skegness and providing places for children who might not otherwise experience a seaside break. The mayor highlighted the centre’s long history and its direct connection to families in his ward of Spondon.
Who benefits and why it matters
The mayor said both charities were selected because they deliver tangible benefits to people living locally. The holiday centre, which accepts nominations via schools, aims to give children breaks they might otherwise miss for financial or caring responsibilities. The Living Recovery Foundation was selected as a beneficiary for its work supporting residents in Derby, though specific programmes were not detailed in the announcement.
- Event: Tandem skydive
- Date: 21 August
- Height: 15,000 feet
- Beneficiaries: Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre; Living Recovery Foundation
The mayor has previously taken high-adrenaline challenges and framed this jump as both a personal goal and a civic fundraising effort. He noted a specific connection to his ward in choosing the holiday centre and referred to local individuals who have benefited from its services over the years.
| Charity | Noted detail |
|---|---|
| Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre | Providing free holidays since 1891; supports children nominated by schools |
| Living Recovery Foundation | Selected for its local support work in Derby |
Residents who wish to support the mayor’s fundraising efforts should look for official fundraising pages or announcements from the City of Derby and the charities involved for details on how to donate or attend related events.
