Survivors of sexual and domestic violence take a leap for a South Bucks charity
The skydive helped charity RSASS raise over £1,600
A group of survivors, team members and ambassadors for a charity supporting victims of sexual and domestic violence in South Buckinghamshire took a jump out of a plane in a awareness and fundraising effort.
The event was organised by the Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Service (RSASS) and helped mark the 7th anniversary of the loss of two women close to a team member.
Jodie Finch, Clinical Lead at RSASS, spoke to Greatest Hits Radio about the importance of marking the day, and said: "I lost my my sister Laura, and my niece Ella. Their lives were taken by domestic abuse, and today was about me jumping to raise awareness in prevention of this happening to other families and and also to to jump and for all the people that we have lost and all the people that may be are in abusive relationships, as a sign that there is hope and that there is support out there."
The event aimed to shine a light on the leap taken by survivors of sexual violence every single day, whether it be toward healing, justice, or reclaiming their lives.
Labelled 'Take the Leap, Break the Cycle', the charity's campaign goes further than a skydive, it’s a bold statement of support for survivors.
Madeleine Black, an ambassador for the charity, said: "Many years ago I came very close to being killed. So it's really good to be alive and I know thankful I'm not a statistic of someone that was raped and murdered. I was just raped. So I'm grateful to have my life and to be here.
"I am one of the lucky ones. We know that women don't survive and it's really important to raise awareness of domestic abuse, rape, sexual violence. So I'm very happy to be the ambassador."
The charity offer support to both men and women who have gone through any form of sexual abuse, sexual violence, or sexual assault, whether historical or recent.
The type of support varies depending on needs, from one to one counselling to mindfulness and referrals to other specialised services.
Survivors wishing to report are also being supported in their steps through the criminal justice system.
Recently-appointed ambassador Lisa Squire attended the event in the hope to shine a light on difficulties faced by support services, who are struggling more than ever before.
Lisa was further able to tell the story of her daughter Libby, who was raped and killed in Hull in 2019.
Since her daughter's murder, she made it her mission to make a difference to women's lives and strive to contribute to their protection from harm and violence.
She said: "I think the drive gets stronger every day.
"I parent my three living children in one way and this is the way I parent Libby. This is the way I honour Libby and it really helps me because it makes me feel that Libby's death wasn't completely in vain, I mean, yes, she shouldn't have died. But I can't change that. So doing this it it's it helps me to make a difference.
"I always say it's her that's making a difference, not me, and I'm incredibly proud of the work that she's putting in my path."
The charity far exceeded its £500 fundraising target, reaching over £1600.