Afraid Of Heights – But James Tackles His Fear With a Skydiving Challenge

Published on: 22 Aug, 2025
Updated on: 25 Aug, 2025

James Scott – skydiving for charity

Being afraid of heights, James Scott was taken aback when his work colleagues announced they were nominating him to do a 15,000ft skydive for charity.

But James, aged 22, from Guildford, is tackling his fear head-on – and is welcoming the challenge.

He will do a tandem skydive on September 15 as part of Move for Momentum, a charity fundraising challenge which runs throughout Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

James, a manager for Surrey builders’ merchant PTL, said: “My colleagues at PTL brainstormed different ways we could raise money for Momentum and I was nominated to do a skydive. I wasn’t even there at the time!

“This is the first time I have ever done an adrenaline-fuelled challenge. I am excited but fearing heights, I am slightly terrified too.”

PTL started supporting Momentum earlier this year when the charity was the beneficiary of their annual golf day. The family-run company raised £1,300 and this was topped up by £200 which James donated from his winnings from another golf event.

Explaining why he is fundraising for Momentum, James said: “I feel extremely fortunate that I have had a healthy, happy life. I know that is not the case for so many children and young people and that is why I am doing this. It means a lot that Momentum is a local charity and that so much of the money they raise goes directly back to helping families with unwell children.

“I have set myself an ambitious £5,000 fundraising target so I am hoping customers, colleagues, friends, and family will all get behind me to help me reach that total.

“Move for Momentum is a fantastic challenge as it is so simple and broad – you can literally do anything as long as you are moving and fundraising. I hope as many people as possible sign up to make it a big success.”

The charity provides practical and emotional support to families in Surrey, London and Sussex who have a child with cancer, helping them during incredibly difficult times.

Founded in 2004, the charity was started when Bianca Effemey OBE was working as a receptionist on the paediatrics ward at Kingston Hospital. Side effects of chemotherapy treatment can be very painful, and she became aware of the impact they were having on young cancer patients. The charity receives no government funding and is reliant entirely on voluntary support.

To sign up for Move for Momentum and find out more about the charity, visit www.momentumcharity.org

Get behind James and help him reach his £5,000 fundraising goal by sponsoring him here:

https://afdjssrk.donorsupport.co/page/moveformomentum2025?fundraiser=NRRSRHPR&member=SEHBMHYW