Parachute for YouthNet FAQs
How old? How much? What's involved? Where and how can I sign up? Find out what's involved in parachuting for YouthNet here.
- How old do I have to be?
To qualify you need to be aged 16 or over. -
How much do I need to raise?
You will need to raise a minimum of £395. YouthNet will receive at least £135 of your minimum sponsorship. The rest of the sponsor fee pays for your jump and your training. You will need to provide your funds in three stages, which are outlined below.- Registration −You will need to put down a deposit of £70 when you register to reserve your place with Skyline. We can give you this back once you've collected over £100 in sponsorship (cash, cheques or online) or you can choose to donate it as a personal donation towards your £395 fundraising target.
- One week prior to your jump − You will need to have raised and sent at least £285 of your minimum £395 fundraising target to YouthNet. This covers the £180 we need to pay the parachute centre, the deposit you've already paid to Skyline (via the online reservation form) and a £35 donation to YouthNet.
- One month after you jump − The deadline for receiving the rest of your minimum fundraising target (the remaining £100) and anything else you've been able to raise.
But why stop there? Anything raised above the £395 minimum sponsor fee also goes directly to supporting YouthNet.
When you raise your funds you can tell us whether you would like them to be used to provide much-needed support and advice to young people like David via TheSite.org or help people like Lorraine make a difference to their local community through volunteering via do-it.org.uk.
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How do I raise my sponsorship?
First things first − don't be put off by the amount. As a starting point, get in touch with your personal contacts to tell them about your jump - you'll be amazed how quickly you can get the ball rolling. Next, check out some of the fundraising ideas that have worked for others and take up some of these tips:
- Set up your very own YouthNet fundraising page to collect secure online sponsorship pledges and donations.
- Print off a sponsor form (hyperlink to PDF) and take it everywhere you go: college, university, work, gym and clubs.
- Ask everyone you know to sponsor you. Don't be shy! You're doing something really adventurous and it's for a great charity − tell everyone!
- Try to get a good pledge at the top of the page, this will encourage others to follow suit.
- Photocopy your sponsor form and ask family and friends to collect sponsors for you.
- Make sure you know how to contact people who have pledged support, so you can collect your sponsorship.
- Keep a clear record of who has paid.
- Send a press release or letter to your local paper (YouthNet will help with this, just contact us).
- Ask your employer if they have a 'matched pledge' scheme. Many organisations match money raised by employees.
- If you have a work newsletter, make sure they run a piece about your parachute jump asking people to support you.
- See if you can put a request out to colleagues on email.
- Organise an event to help raise your sponsorship – for example, a 'dress down' day.
IMPORTANT − WHAT NOT TO DO: it's illegal to collect door-to-door or chug in the street if you don't have a special licence to do it. If you want to collect on private property (in a shopping centre, pub etc) you'll need permission from the owner. If you have any questions, contact us or call the Development Team on 020 7288 7331.
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What is Gift Aid and how will it help?
If those sponsoring you are UK tax payers, their support can qualify for Gift Aid. This means that YouthNet can claim back the tax they've already paid on their sponsorship from the government − at no cost or effort to them.
In simple terms this means that for every £100 of sponsorship you raise from UK tax payers, YouthNet will actually receive £128. Just get them to tick the box on your fundraising page or sponsor form (we will need to receive your sponsor form when you send us your money − so don't lose it!) and we'll do the rest. -
The jump is organised in partnership with leading events specialists Skyline. Technically it is called a 'Tandem Skydive'. It is a Skydive because you will be freefalling through the air (without the parachute deployed) for several thousand feet; it is in tandem because you will be harnessed to a professional parachute instructor at all times throughout the descent (as shown in the picture). The training takes just one day – the day you jump − and your instructor will be in control of your landing.
We advise you to take a look at the full Terms and Conditions. -
There are over 20 British Parachute Association approved centres across the UK and when you register, you have the opportunity to pick your preferred dates. Take a look at the map of jump locations.
Once we have received your reservation form, Skyline will do their best to place you at your nearest available centre − but if this is not possible we will contact you to discuss the alternatives.
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Are there any weight restrictions?
You need to be under 15 stone (95kgs) in weight. A few airfields have a slightly lower weight restriction − we'll let you know if you're affected once we receive your reservation form and know where your closest centre is. Alternatively, you can contact us with your address and we'll find out for you.
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You do not need to fulfil specific fitness requirements. The principal medical restrictions are: diabetes; epilepsy; fits; recurrent blackouts; heart or lung disease; mental illness and some cases of asthma. Pre-existing physical conditions will not necessarily stop you from taking part, but please let us know in advance as this may affect the location of your jump.
You will be required to sign a medical form before your jump declaring your fitness to take part. This will be sent to you upon receipt of your reservation form but is also available on request. Those under the age of 18 will need the medical form signed by a parent or guardian while anyone aged 40 and over will need it signed by their doctor. -
You will be automatically covered for up to £2,000,000 third party insurance via Skyline, but this will not cover you for personal injury. Skyline does advise you take out personal insurance, and they do run their own personal insurance scheme − it costs £20. Further information can be found in the Terms and Conditions and registration form. Alternatively, you can arrange separate cover.
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What do I do next and how do I book my place?
Simply complete the reservation form (hyperlink). After that all you have to do is start fundraising and look forward to making an exhilarating tandem parachute jump from two miles up!
- Contact us or call the Development Team on 020 7288 7331