Skydive to help charity

Special challenge

Coatbridge fundraiser Michelle Danskin is getting set for a highflying challenge in honour of her late dad.

She will be taking part in a charity skydive in St Andrew’s next Saturday, April 7, to raise funds for the Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH).

Michelle’s beloved father, Thomas Higgins, took his own life in 2015; and the mum- of- two is taking on the event to raise awareness about mental health and encourage those in similar situations to “talk about it and to stop the stigma”.

The 33- year- old has already raised nearly £300 in online pledges, towards her £450 target.

She previously told the Advertiser: “We were all devastated by dad’s death and have thought about him every day since then.

“He had a heart attack two years prior to his death and it transformed him – he deteriorated quite a bit afterwards but we never knew exactly how bad things were.

“One of the main reasons I’m doing this skydive is to raise awareness of the support network out there for people with mental health issues, and encourage them to not be ashamed of their problems and ask for help.”

She added: “When it gets nearer the time, I’ll start getting excited and nervous; my family will be coming along to cheer me on from the ground.

“I’ve never done anything like a skydive before but thought it was a good way to raise funds for SAMH and the work it does.”

Find “Michelle Danskin Fly High Tommy” on JustGiving to donate to Michelle’s fundraiser.