(Worldkings) FUNDRAISERS have helped charity hero Stephen Sutton's family break the record for the most tandem skydives in 24 hours.
Stephen's Mum and Sister before their leap (dailystar.co.uk)
The 19-year-old from Staffordshire died in May last year after raising £5 million for the Teenage Cancer Trust – making him the biggest fundraiser in the charity's history.
He used social media to chart his three year battle with cancer and made the thumbs-up gesture, which encapsulated his posiive attitude, a kind of trademark.
His family organised with the charity to set a new record for tandem parachute jumps in 24 hours at a single venue – one of Stephen's final wishes.
The aim was to get 400 people to throw themselves out of an aeroplane strapped to an instructor at 10,000ft in 24 hours.
The previous best was 281.
Teenage Cancer Trust announced the record was broken within eight hours and a whole new benchmark would be set because there were so many hours left to go.
Stephen’s mum Jane said: “We all did Stephen proud today by smashing the record and carrying on his fundraising legacy. Thank you to everyone who took part, it’s been such an amazing day. Stephen was adventurous, had no fear and lived his life with no regrets. He would have been so impressed to see how many people he inspired to jump out of a plane today.”
Stephen wrote a bucket list which included "hug an animal that is bigger than me", "go on lads' holiday" and "organise a giant game of musical chairs".
But Stephen did not have time to complete his list before he died on May 14 last year.
Kate Collins, Director of Fundraising and Marketing at Teenage Cancer Trust, who took part in the skydive herself, said: “Stephen has helped Teenage Cancer Trust move our work for young people with cancer forwards and, even after his death, his positivity and inspiration continues.
"Not only did we smash the Guinness world Records title today but we have so far raised over £150,000 that will help support teenagers and young adults across the UK facing a diagnosis of cancer.
"We have made huge progress in making sure that young people with cancer have the best treatment, care and support but there is so much more to do. Right now, for every young person we help, there is another we can’t, so events like this help raise the funds we need to reach more young people than ever before."
Source: dailystar.co.uk
WORLD RECORDS UNION - WORLDKINGS
.png)
.png)
.png)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
