The sky is the limit for highflyer Jess who is planning her next charity challenge, following in the footsteps of her fundraising family.
A 14,000 ft skydive is on the to-do list for the 17-year-old from Ingleby Barwick who, as a keen glider and air cadet with ambitions to become an aeronautical engineer, you might think would prefer to stay on board the plane.
Preparing for this, her second skydive to raise money for the CPAD Ingleby Barwick Fund, a potentially lifesaving organisation launched by her mum, Jess said: “I’m looking forward to it and, so far, I’m not feeling any nerves.”
In fact, she has enlisted three friends to join her, and it certainly gives the Bede Sixth Form College student something to look forward to after sitting her A level exams.
Speaking passionately about the importance of volunteering, she said: “Small charities and organisations are so important in our communities and none of it would happen without volunteers.”
Her mum, Deborah Gale, launched the CPAD IB Fund, driven simply by a need for more community access defibrillators in the area.
Now in its fourth year the group has installed 90 defibrillators across Teesside which have been deployed 410 times.
“It shows that there is a real need,” said Jess who as part of a team of committed volunteers helps to regularly check and maintain the defibrillators.
“It takes constant fundraising, not only to buy the defibrillators but also for their upkeep, the cabinets and replacement pads.”
The not-for-profit organisation also works to raise awareness, delivering CPR and restart your heart training sessions to ensure as many people as possible feel confident enough to help, should the worst happen.
A qualified basic first aid trainer herself, even training her fellow air cadets, Jess said: “You don’t actually have to be trained to use a defibrillator. It will start talking to you when you open it.”
She added that her mum, Deborah, a community first responder, has witnessed firsthand the difference that having access to a defibrillator can make.
Determined to do all she can help support the cause, along with her younger sister and dad, Jess said: “My mum has been a big influence, it is insane how many people she has helped.”
They, of course, couldn’t do any of it without the dedication and commitment of the full CPAD IB Fund team, their amazing volunteers, fundraisers, and all those who give what they can.
Looking back at her first skydive last year, a jump she made alongside CPAD IB Fund supporter and local musician, Tom Powell, Jess said: “I wanted to do something bigger to raise funds myself.”
With a passion for aeronautics, a skydive seemed the natural choice for the up-and-coming young engineer.
Making the jump at Shotton Airfield she said: “It was an amazing experience and we raised £1300 for CPAD.
“I wasn’t nervous until the last minute. I was last to go and so watched all the other people go and heard the noise as they sucked out!”
But ultimately helping raise the funds towards two defibrillators that are now out in the community doing their job, she believes it was well worth the nerves.
Inspired to give it another go her next fundraising jump is planned for this August.
Hoping to top their total with a target set at £1500, Jess said: “The money will go towards buying an outdoor cabinet for one of the current defibrillators so that more people can access it in an emergency.”
Those wishing to sponsor Jess and the team can donate at https://gofund.me/fdf7df0bc or to find out more about the CPAD IB Fund and how you can get involved visit CPADInglebyBarwick on Facebook or cpadibfund on Instagram.
