Fearless Teen Skydives to Tackle Body Image Issues Raises Massive Funds for Charity

Published 09/24/2023, 7:22 AM EDT

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Aimee Ironside, a 17-year-old from Inverness, recently embarked on a daring skydiving mission to overcome her fear of heights. But the incident was so much more than a mere session of thrills. Reportedly, Aimee embraced the challenge to raise awareness for youngsters grappling with body image issues. This extraordinary journey had her soaring smoothly above Glenrothes after she jumped off the plane. 

Aimee’s fight with body image struggles began at the tender age of 15, fueled by the pervasive influence of social media. With its unattainable ideals and unrealistic body standards, she had found herself trapped in a cycle of self-doubt. Determined to make a difference, the wonder girl overcame her personal battles. Following her brave heart, Aimee took a leap, quite literally, when she chose to skydive. 

The bigger picture of Aimee’s skydiving venture 

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Aimee’s unhealthy dieting practices in the past were driven by harmful trends like extreme cleanses promoted online. She expressed that the major cause behind her self-doubting thoughts were the body ideals and stereotypical standards set by society. The courageous teen addressed the seriousness of the issue, sharing, “It used to play on my mind a lot, as I would think maybe I’m not thin enough, or muscly enough.” 

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Recognizing that body image issues affect countless young people today, Aimee decided to raise both funds and awareness for the eating disorder charity. But her bravery did not stop at the skydiving challenge; she set an initial fundraising goal as her target. Heartwarmingly, the teen skydiver raised an impressive amount of approximately $3059.75 (£2500). The final outcome came out as a staggering value that was five times her original aim. 

Reflecting on her exhilarating skydive, Aimee narrated the sky transforming into a serene and peaceful landscape once her parachute was pulled. “When I first jumped out I was going at 120mph, and thought my lashes were going to come out”, she added gleefully. But Aimee’s mission does not end with this incredible feat; she is also determined to advocate for better education among health professionals. 

A wave of charitable practices involving skydives

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Another heart-pounding display of courage witnessed an 81-year-old take a soaring leap from 14,000 feet to raise funds. On September 1, a team of 19 other divers and the aged thrill-seeker, Bridget Chaplin, gathered at Cark Airfield in Flookburgh. A long-time supporter of charities, Bridget alone raised over $9179.25 ( £7,500) through the skydiving event. She even decided to fulfill her diving pledge earlier than planned, expressing gratitude to her supporters.

With similar intentions of generosity, 16-year-old Luke Johnston made the jump in memory of his late grandfather, Brian Johnston. Raising over $1835.85 (£1,500) with his skydiving feat, the young man’s praiseworthy act was admired by event manager Mel Dixon. The amount has remarkably supported St. Mary’s Hospice and its patients, adding momentum to Luke’s dive. 

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As these generous acts highlight brave souls, they also inspire millions to work in favor of empathy. From Aimee’s successful attempt to Bridget’s determination, these incidents marked a bigger concept than skydivers merely enjoying the thrill. They proved that all it takes is one daring leap to make a world of difference.

Watch This Story: 73-year-old Grandfather of Six Gears Up to Shatter World Records With Daring Skydive

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Written by:

Sanchari Bhaduri

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Sanchari Bhaduri is a fresh Sports Viral Moments writer at EssentiallySports. Graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English from IGNOU, she embarked on her content creation career in 2015 with freelance projects. Her previous role involved her serving as a Content Manager for Reddit.
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Edited by:

Priyadarshini Ajay