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Brave Mum's Prove Sky's the Limit for Charity Supporting their Children

Two brave women from different ends of the country chose to take to the skies in an adrenaline fuelled skydive to raise crucial funds for Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus (SBH) Scotland who have provided dedicated support to their families.

Abby McDonald (pictured right) from Stonehaven and Jade Montgomery (pictured below) from Hamilton kick-started the new year by taking on a tandem freefall parachute jump at Strathallan Airfield in Perth and Kinross and raising over £3,000 in the process. From an exhilarating 10,000ft in the sky and at speeds of up to 120mph, the unforgettable experience was inspired by the support for their respective daughter and son.

Abby’s daughter Bella was born with spina bifida and hydrocephalus 7 years ago and Abby describes the help she has received from SBH Scotland as ‘immeasurable’.

Abby explains, “It was quite a shock being told your unborn baby has spina bifida and hydrocephalus. You’re instantly full of fear, guilt and lots of questions which SBH Scotland answered for us. We didn’t know what the disabilities were so it was a big learning curve for my husband and I but being introduced to SBH Scotland was great; to have the help and support at such a crucial time was very comforting.”

Jade Montgomery also has a 7 year old called Jaxon. At age 3 he was diagnosed with hydrocephalus and an arachnoid cyst and in a very short time has been through numerous brain surgeries and procedures.

Jade told us why she wanted to take part, “SBH Scotland helped us as a family. They explained more about the conditions, helping with strategies to cope and they have been there with us at hospital visits. On top of that we attend family groups which allow Jaxon to see and learn about others who have the same conditions as him; they send activities home for Jaxon and his little brother Dawson and they’ve organised days out for our family. They are fantastic in every way.

“If my son can overcome brain surgeries and daily headaches then I knew I could jump out the sky for 5 minutes to raise awareness and money for a good cause.”

The money raised by Abby and Jade will will go directly towards providing personalised support to families across Scotland who are affected by these lifelong, complex conditions of spina bifida, hydrocephalus and related conditions. From ante-natal advice and information through to intensive support at birth, home/hospital visits, groups, health checks, workshops and finance and benefits information, SBH Scotland’s team of clinical and family support workers make sure no one affected is left to cope alone.

Deborah Roe, Director of Fundraising of SBH Scotland, said: “Our mission is to make sure that all our members feel secure in managing their conditions and that they are empowered to be as independent as possible.

“Each year we have to raise £1.4 million and each year it get’s more difficult. All donations positively impact children, young people and adults affected by spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus so we’re extremely grateful to Abby, Jade and all the people who donated to their challenge! They are maintaining a lifeline of support for families when they need us the most – we think they’re phenomenal.”

After such an exhilarating experience would Jade and Abby take on another Skydive?

“I would urge anyone to go try it as the experience was surreal, however for me it’s onto other challenges for SBH Scotland, I’ve now ticked this one off the list” says Jade.

Abby says, “The skydive was absolutely amazing. When we jumped we managed to catch the sunset which was stunning; a lifelong dream come true – better than I could ever have imagined. I’m so proud of myself and hope to return soon to jump again.”

To find out more about the range of support services offered by SBH Scotland or to get involved in skydiving or other fundraising challenges please visit our challenges pages or contact our fundraising team via email.

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