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Home-Starts across Birmingham plummet thousands of feet despite massive set backs
*NEWS UPDATE - OCTOBER 2011*
Since the jump, over £2,000 has been pledged to support the five Home-Starts involved. See pictures after the successful jump, right.
ORIGINAL STORY - SEPTEMBER 2011
The largest family support charity in Birmingham loses hundreds of pounds in deposits after collapse of sky dive venue - but another airfield steps in to save the day.
Home-Starts in Birmingham were due to plummet thousands of feet to raise vital funds for the family support work they carry out across the city.
Staff, family members, volunteers and parents supported by Home-Start had booked a group of tandem jumps at RAF Weston on the Green, near Bicester, Oxfordshire. After a July jump was postponed because the airfield did not have the right licence, a second date was offered to the charity for the 4th September.
But by then RAF Weston on the Green had gone into voluntary liquidation, meaning that the Birmingham local Home-Starts will not get their deposits back.
Speaking after hearing the news, Diana Cottingham, manager of Home-Start Northfield said: “This has absolutely devastated me. Not only have we lost over £400 that we could ill-afford to lose in deposits, but we have so many friends and family that have been extremely generous in sponsoring us. And now, unless we can transfer our deposits to another venue, we will just have to give all our sponsorship money back.”
But in a last minute reprieve, Langar Airfield in Nottingham agreed the charity skydive could take place at their airfield, and whilst Home-Start will not be refunded their original deposits, Langar has kindly agreed to a reduction in their skydive costs for Home-Start’s charity jump which will be taking place on the 22nd October 2011.
This news has been welcomed across the Birmingham Home-Start Schemes.
At a time when many charities have to look for alternative funding, Diana Cottingham, manager at Home-Start Northfield decided that gathering all Birmingham Home-Starts together for a joint fundraising campaign was needed.
Diana said: “In Birmingham we are extremely fortunate to have the backing of Birmingham City Council. All nine Home-Starts receive statutory funding, however all charities are moving into uncertain times and need to be more self sufficient. Home-Start has seen a sharp increase in demand for help, so creativity is required in our fundraising. Additional funds to those we receive from the local authority are always needed.”
The nine Birmingham Home-Starts form part of the UK’s leading family support charity. Home-Start recruits and trains parent volunteers to support families in their own homes, families who are struggling to cope, whatever the reasons. Support is both emotional and practical and can be for reasons such as; post natal illness, poverty, isolation, domestic abuse, multiple births and supporting parents with low self esteem.
Anna Griffin, a young single mum supported by Home-Start Sutton Coldfield will also be taking to the skies. She said: “For the last three years I have received much needed support from Home-Start. With three children under the age of 11, it has been really difficult at times, but Home-Start has always been there for me. Joining the other jumpers on Home-Start’s Big Jump means that in my own way I am giving something back to them.”
In the last year over 400 Home-Start volunteers have supported more than 1,200 families and almost 3,000 children across Birmingham.
Five Home-Starts were involved in the jump they were:
Home-Start Bartley Green and Quinton
Home-Start Cole Valley
Home-Start Northfield
Home-Start Stockland Green & Erdington
Home-Start Sutton Coldfield
If you would like to donate,donations can be made by using the new Vodafone text donation service. If you would like to support Home-Start, so that it can continue supporting families across Birmingham, please text 70070 with the words ‘JUMP09’ plus the amount you would like to donate. (Which has to be £1-5, or £10) or contact each Home-Start for a sponsorship form or to make a direct donation. Details of Birmingham Home-Starts can be found on the find us section of the website.
