The challenge was organised to raise both funds and awareness for the charity’s work, helping older and vulnerable people feel safer at home and online across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
Taking the leap for safer communities
A 15,000 ft skydive is no small challenge. For many people, skydiving means facing fear, letting go of control and putting complete trust in the process.
For Amelia and Mia, the nerves were worth it.
Both work for the Blue Lamp Trust and see first-hand the difference the charity’s services make within local communities. The skydive was a way to do something bold, memorable and meaningful to help raise money for the people the trust supports every day.
Supporting older and vulnerable people
The Blue Lamp Trust is dedicated to improving community safety and helping people feel safer, more secure and more confident at home and online.
Through its two free services, Safe Home and Safe Online, the charity provides practical support, trusted advice and reassurance to residents, some of whom may be more vulnerable because of age, disability, ill health, financial hardship, unsafe living conditions or the impact of crime and abuse.
Safe Home: practical help where it matters most
The Trust’s Safe Home service provides free home safety visits for older and vulnerable residents across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
During a visit, trained and police-vetted Safety Technicians carry out a full home security and fire safety assessment. They provide personalised advice and, where needed, install approved safety equipment such as door and window locks, spyholes, door chains, long-life smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.
For someone who has experienced burglary or domestic abuse, practical safety improvements can help restore a sense of security and control. For an older, disabled or vulnerable resident, the support can provide reassurance and help them feel safer living independently.
Every visit, every piece of advice and every fitted alarm can make a real difference.
Safe Online: helping people stay safer online
The Trust’s Safe Online service helps older and vulnerable people protect themselves from scams, fraud, identity theft and other online threats.
As more everyday services move online, people are increasingly expected to use the internet for banking, shopping, appointments and staying in touch with friends and family. For those who feel less confident online, this can be overwhelming and can increase the risk of being targeted by scams.
Through free one-to-one visits and community talks, Safe Online advisers provide patient, practical and easy-to-understand guidance. This includes advice on spotting suspicious emails, texts and calls, creating stronger passwords, protecting personal information, using privacy settings and knowing how to report concerns.
The aim is to help people feel empowered, not frightened, when using technology.
Why fundraising matters
The Blue Lamp Trust’s services are free for those who qualify, which means fundraising plays an important role in helping the charity continue reaching people who need support.
Funds raised through Amelia and Mia’s skydive will help the Trust continue providing practical safety advice, home security support, approved safety equipment and online safety guidance to older and vulnerable people across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
The skydive has also helped raise awareness of the charity’s work, bringing more attention to the support available for people who may otherwise not know where to turn.
This campaign has been a fantastic boost, and the Blue Lamp Trust will continue looking at further fundraising opportunities and community initiatives to help support even more people in the future.
Thank you for your support
Amelia and Mia would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has donated, shared the fundraising page, supported the campaign or helped spread the word.
The original target was £1,500, and thanks to the kindness of supporters, the total has already reached £1,780.
We are also incredibly grateful to our sponsors for their continued support of the Blue Lamp Trust and the work we do across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
A special thank you goes to Silverlake, who very kindly paid for the photo and video package, allowing us to capture the day and share the experience with everyone who supported the campaign.
The fundraising page will remain open for anyone who has not yet had the chance to donate. Every donation, large or small, helps the Blue Lamp Trust continue supporting safer homes, safer online experiences and safer communities.
Thank you!
