Two brave parents leapt 15,000 feet out of a plane and raised more than £5,000 for the children’s hospice that has been a lifeline for their families.
For dad Jamie Berrisford, 37, taking part in Dive for Derian was the perfect tribute to his son, four-year-old Harvey, who passed away in January this year.
Mum Laura Milroy, 38, also made the jump to thank the hospice for the care it continues to offer her five-year-old son Elijah.
Chorley-based Derian House, which has to raise £6 million every year, invited thrill-seekers to take the plunge in this year’s “Dive for Derian” – with more than 50 people signing up.
The fundraiser has already brought in an impressive £50,000 in sponsorship so far.
“After everything Derian House has done for us, I decided I was going to do the skydive,” said dad Jamie, who lives with wife Vikki, and their two other children, Annabel, seven, and Hallie, 18 months, in Cartmel, Cumbria.
“I did it for Harvey – Derian means so much to us. When we got up 15,000ft in the air, I got quite emotional. You can see for miles – it was very tranquil, and I knew I was doing it for all the right reasons. Falling out of the plane is a hard feeling to explain. It was exhilarating, an out-of-body experience.”
Jamie skydived with his sister Kelsey, brother-in-law Matt, and friend Nicola in July and together their group raised an incredible £4,000.
“Derian has been huge for us, it’s an amazing place,” said Jamie.
“We knew if Harvey went to Derian that we would have no worries and that he would be spoilt and have an amazing time. There was so much love. We knew it would be fully safe and that Harvey would be well looked after.
“We have had respite breaks, giving us chance to spend more quality time with our children and each other. We were lucky to go on a Derian Holiday to Ribby Hall Village. It was incredible to have that time with Harvey and with our family – to relax and do things together.
“When Harvey passed away, we used a Sunflower Room and to spend that extra time with him meant the world to us. Derian House offered myself and the girls a flat for the week, supporting us and making sure we ate during our time there.
“I’ve also just started going to the Derian dads bereavement group. It’s comforting to know that even though your child is no longer using Derian’s services, that you’re still part of the family.”
Mum Laura Milroy, 38, also jumped out of a plane to raise money for the hospice that cares for her five-year-old son Elijah.
“Elijah is an amazing little boy,” said Laura of Burscough, West Lancashire.
“When he was 3 months old he was diagnosed with a life-limiting neurological condition. At Derian we use the sensory room and hydrotherapy pool. Elijah also gets visits from the play team at home which he thoroughly enjoys. The memories that we are creating with Elijah at Derian are priceless, it really is a special place.
“I had always wanted to skydive so when the opportunity came up to also raise money for such a special place it was a very easy decision,” continued Laura.
“Just as I was about to jump out of the plane the nerves were well and truly there, but I tried my best not to show them. The weather was absolutely beautiful. The view was something I will never forget.”
Laura’s skydive for Derian House raised £1,000.
Kerry Salmon, Community Fundraiser at Derian House, said: “Each year we are amazed by our incredible supporters who are willing to throw themselves out of a plane for Derian House – they are fearless!
“It’s very special that Jamie and Laura decided to challenge themselves, and we’re so proud of them for doing this for families just like theirs.
“It will cost £6million to run services at Derian House in 2024, so we rely on the bravery and kindness of our supporters who take part in events like these to help children whose lives are too short.”
Derian House, based in Chorley, Lancashire, cares for more than 400 babies, children, young people and their families from across the North West and is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
