The deputy mayor of Richmond has taken to the skies in his official robes to complete a zipline challenge across the Allianz Stadium.
Matthew Wherry flew 25 metres above the rugby pitch alongside 13 other participants, to raise money for the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) children’s charity, Skylarks.
The charity, which supports 8000 young people across South West London, raised over £5000 on Friday.
Wherry said: “It was the closest thing I’ll do to flying.
“It’s a cause that’s close to my heart.
“When I said it was going to be one of the mayoral charities, one of my friends said ‘They have been a lifesaver for me. They are so great’.”
Skylarks has centres in Richmond and Hounslow.and provides online and in-person activities, ranging from ballet to coding, for young people with additional needs, up until their 25th birthday.
Families of registered children can also access support from SEND advisors and online talks.
Sameer, 13, who used Skylarks’ services when he was younger, took part in the challenge to give back to other families.
“It was really really good and really really exciting. I think I was a little bit nervous at the top but that all melted away when I was on the zipline,” he said.
“I feel really pleased that I’m doing something for the greater good.”
The event raised a total of £5194.25, which will go directly towards the day-to-day running of the charity.
Deirdre Carswell, Skylarks’ head of partnerships and fundraising, said: “Everything that we do is free and that’s really important to our community, that we don’t have barriers that are financial or any other.
“For a lot of the times when families come to us, they are in crisis.
They might have people who are out of the school system, as a result they might be full time carers, which is affecting their ability to earn.”
The challenge is one of several fundraising events organised by Skylarks, with a fire walk planned for later this month and a skydive next year.
Wherry said: “I’d love to sign up for it. I’ve always wanted to skydive and it’s a great cause to skydive for.”
Featured image credit: Hannah Hastings
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