Press releases 2007

Local teenager jumps for Alabaré

30th May 2007

A South Wilts pupil has proved that sky’s the limit when it comes to what she will do for charity.

16 year old Kerry Fazal from Andover has taken part in a sponsored skydive to raise money for Alabaré Christian Care Centres.  She jumped in tandem with the Red Devils from 13,000 feet at Netheravon Air base on Tuesday 29th May, just two weeks after turning 16!

Kerry managed to raise £1,300 through sponsorship, which will go towards two of Alabaré’s youth projects in Andover – The Junction and Sarum House.

The Junction, run by Alabaré in partnership with Hampshire County Youth Service, gives 13-25 year olds a safe space where they can use Internet Café facilities and access information and advice of a variety of issues including housing, education and health.

Sarum House provides 24-hour supported accommodation as well as emotional and practical guidance to 18 single vulnerable people aged between 16 and 25.

Skydiving novice Kerry also met with parachuting veteran Chris Saunders whilst she was there – he made his first jump in 1945 and by the time he was 16 he had already done 8!  Mr Saunders was in Netheravon to watch someone else jump but after meeting Kerry and talking to her about jump for Alabaré he gave her one of his parachuting pin badges as a souvenir.

Kerry said “As the day of the jump got nearer it started to sink in that I was about to jump out of a plane, I kept looking up to the sky and feeling butterflies.”

“Once we were up there though it was amazing, I think I screamed all the way down and was still screaming after we’d landed.  I just want to do it all over again!”

Kerry added “I wanted to raise money for Alabaré because it’s a local charity that does great work within the local community.

If you are interested in skydiving with the Red Devils to raise money for an Alabaré project contact Events Co-ordinator Yvonne Way on 01722 344472

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For more information or to arrange an interview call Lara Higgins on 01722 344484

Notes to Editors

Alabaré Christian Care Centres is a regional charity, providing a range of services including supported housing, floating support services, drop-in centres, information, advice and training services and a registered care home.  The charity works with the homeless, ex-offenders, young people, individuals with a learning difficulty, vulnerable women and people with drug and alcohol problems, aiming to assist them with realising their potential and becoming valued members of society.

The Junction provides a safe space and information and advice service for young people ages 13-25 living in the Test Valley area.  The service is delivered in partnership with Hampshire County Youth Service and addresses the individual needs of young people, either by providing information directly on a range of issues including housing, education, employment, health and relationships, or by signposting clients to the appropriate specialist services. 

www.alabare.co.uk