Brave Derry mum takes 15,000ft leap for daughter born with heart condition
Seven-year-old Kayleigh's bravery drives mother to conquer fears for Children's Heartbeat Trust
A mum from Derry has conquered her fear of heights by completing a 15,000ft charity skydive in support of Children’s Heartbeat Trust, the charity that supported her family from the moment her daughter was born with a heart condition.
Rebecca was one of 12 supporters who took to the skies as part of Children’s Heartbeat Trust’s recent charity skydive, raising vital funds and awareness for children and young people living with congenital heart disease and their families across Northern Ireland.
For Rebecca, the challenge was about much more than jumping out of a plane. It was her way of giving back to a charity that stood beside her family during one of the most difficult times of their lives.
Her daughter, Kayleigh, was born at 34 weeks with junctional ectopic tachycardia. Just two hours after she was born, Rebecca and her husband Ruairi were told to prepare for the worst.
Rebecca said: “My daughter Kayleigh was born at 34 weeks with a heart condition, junctional ectopic tachycardia. At just 2 hours we were told they couldn’t get oxygen into her and so we were told to say our goodbyes. She defied all odds and came through it and 8 weeks later we were finally able to bring her home where now she is 7!”
Throughout their time in the Royal Victoria Hospital, Chaildren’s Heartbeat Trust supported the family by providing accommodation close to Kayleigh, arranging accommodation for both sets of grandparents, and creating opportunities to connect with other parents going through similar experiences.
Rebecca said: “The charity is absolutely amazing and I wanted to give back to them to show them how much they still mean to us today.”
Despite being terrified of heights, Rebecca decided to take on the 15,000ft skydive in honour of her daughter.
“I took on the skydive even though I am absolutely terrified of heights as Kayleigh has shown me the true meaning of being strong and brave so I wanted to show her that I could be brave for her, she is our little superhero!”
Rebecca successfully completed the skydive alongside 11 other participants, helping to raise vital funds so Children’s Heartbeat Trust can continue providing practical, emotional and financial support to children and young people living with congenital heart disease and their families across Northern Ireland.
For more information about Children’s Heartbeat Trust and the support it provides, visit https://childrensheartbeattrust.org or follow Children’s Heartbeat Trust on social media.