Skydiving success: Step-dad and pal's jump raises more than £13,000 for terminally ill Northamptonshire boy

A duo who made it their mission to raise enough money to buy an electric wheelchair for a terminally ill local boy have successfully completed their skydive.

Zach Holland, from Daventry who is now eight but was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy when he was just five, struggles to walk as his muscles waste away.To regain some of his independence, Zach needs an electric wheelchair as he is unable to use a manual chair, so his stepdad Josh Collins and his pal Dan Perks, who are both terrified of heights decided to take on a 13,000 foot skydive.

The duo successfully completed the jump on Sunday (September 27), as Zach looked on from the ground waiting for his heroes to return.

After becoming hits on social media before the jump and gaining a lot of support for the fundraiser, Josh and Dan have managed to raise just over £13,000, which will help to buy Zach the chair he dreams of but is currently unable to get due to the backlog caused by lockdown.

Prior to the jump, 28-year-old Josh said: “We both said we’re terrified of heights, but we’d do it anyway.

“I have an awful fear and I just feel dizzy if I’m at the edge of something, but the new chair will be life changing for Zach.”

Laura Holland, Zach’s mum, added: “It’s just amazing what Josh is doing.

“He is frightened of heights and he said he wanted to do something out of his comfort zone as he thought he can’t ask someone to donate to something he wants to do.”

The family is hugely grateful for everyone’s support with the money raised so far and is hopeful that Zach will be able to get his new chair soon.

Donations can still be made on Josh and Dan’s GoFundMe page.

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