Foster dad's 15,000ft leap of faith to raise cash for research funding

A St Leonards On Sea dad is helping to fund research into the fight against a devastating muscle-wasting condition that affects his foster son as he prepares to join daredevils across the country for a 15,000ft skydive this weekend.
By The Newsroom
Published 27th Feb 2016, 15:46 GMT
Skydiver Andrew Daniels (right) with his foster son Matt and Irene Upjohn SUS-160224-150114001Skydiver Andrew Daniels (right) with his foster son Matt and Irene Upjohn SUS-160224-150114001
Skydiver Andrew Daniels (right) with his foster son Matt and Irene Upjohn SUS-160224-150114001

Andrew Daniels is set to take on the sky-high challenge with good friend Charlotte Dengate at Skydive Headcorn, Ashford on Sunday (February 28). They will be raising funds for Muscular Dystrophy UK’s Make Today Count. The event will see people of all ages conquer their fears and take the plunge at sites around the UK.

Andrew’s foster son, Matt, has Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a life-limiting condition which causes muscles to weaken and waste over time, leading to increasing and severe disability. Andrew has cared for Matt for the past fourteen years and says Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a cruel condition. “Up until this century Matt had a life-expectancy of 18 years,” he said. “New therapies are helping to extend life and Matt is now 25, but there is currently no cure.

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“Matt is my hero for his courage, humour and sheer personality; and I am a much better person for knowing him. I would not be jumping out of a plane if I did not know that the money raised would benefit boys just like Matt in the future.”

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To date, Andrew has raised £2750 for the Duchenne Research Breakthrough Fund.

Anneke Liefting, Muscular Dystrophy UK’s Regional Development Manager, South East, thanked Andrew, Charlotte and all members of the Make Today Count team takes for taking on the “hair-raising challenge” and says it will take the charity one step closer in the fight against Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Visit https://www.justgiving.com/Andrew-Daniels1/