Cystic Fibrosis Trust supporter set to celebrate 80th birthday with a skydive

Describing it as “the best fun you can have with your clothes on,” self-confessed adrenaline junkie Shelagh has a very personal motivation behind the challenge: her friend Nick’s 6-year-old daughter Xanthe has cystic fibrosis (CF). 

Shelagh was Nick’s late mother’s best friend, and she wanted to play her part in helping to make sure people with CF can have “the best future possible,” Shelagh says. 

Nick will be joining Shelagh for the skydive, along with her daughter and grandson. “When your late mother’s best friend says she’s going to celebrate her 80th birthday by doing a skydive for Cystic Fibrosis Trust and do I know anybody that might like to join her, I knew I was jumping out of that plane,” Nick laughs. “She been an amazing support to our family and I’m very grateful for what she is doing.”

Nick’s daughter Xanthe was diagnosed with CF through the heel prick test at three weeks old. She started Kaftrio a year ago “and is doing really well,” Nick says. “The early signs are that it has made a significant positive impact. She’s living a full and active life and is utterly spoilt by her two big sisters.” 

The diagnosis came as a real shock, Nick says. “It was difficult to bear, but we soon got scooped up by the CF community and we got so much reassurance in those early days. It’s always important to realise you’re not alone, and the Trust is there for families affected by CF from day one.” 

This is one of the reasons why Nick is determined to fundraise for the Trust, along with the important campaigning work he’s seen the charity embark on. “I remember what a huge breakthrough it was when Orkambi and Kaftrio were approved. That political lobbying by the Trust made such a huge difference.” 

To anyone thinking of taking on a challenge like this, no matter what age you are, Shelagh says “Give it a go! If you get to 79 or 80, you’re jolly lucky, so what is there to be scared of?”

Shelagh adds: “Doing something worthwhile and getting a thrill… it’s not something you get to do every day!”

Find out how you can take on a skydive and raise money for Cystic Fibrosis Trust.