Skydive raises money for safe houses for families fleeing domestic abuse
Black Country Women's Aid wants to build 10 new safe houses
A Birmingham man is doing a skydive in Nottingham today (21st June) to raise money for the Black Country Women's Aid to build more safe houses for families fleeing domestic abuse.
Black Country Women's Aid say they want to raise enough money to build 10 more safe houses.
Why is the skydive supporting Black Country Women's Aid?
47-year-old Neil Bayliss will be joined by ten others from the Black Country Women's Aid on his skydive at the Langar Airfield in Nottingham.
He will also be joined by two of his colleagues Julian Brettle and Mike Leach.
Black Country Women's Aid said last year, they were forced to turn away over two thirds of refuge requests, although the charity did offer these victim-survivors other types of support.
"Domestic violence is on the rise"
Neil told us he has always wanted to do a skydive: "I have just put it off in the past because of the weather or the distance. On this occasion, there is a great charity to support.
"That is my biggest push to do it. I think lots of people can recognise that domestic violence is on the rise.
"The proof of that is in the amount of people seeking refuge that Black Country Women's Aid are having to turn away," he said.
"Rebuild their lives"
Sara Ward, CEO of Black Country Women’s Aid, said: “When Black Country Women's Aid was first established nearly 40 years ago, it was with a refuge.
"Since then, our services have grown to meet local people’s needs, but refuge remains at the heart of what we do.
“These new flats will provide safe and secure spaces from where families can heal together and rebuild their lives. We know how vital it is to offer refuge. This skydive will help us do this," she said.