I am jumping out of a plane at 13,000 feet to raise funds for YMCA Norfolk. I've paid for the jump in full myself, so every penny raised will go directly to them.

So why on earth am I doing this?

At just 17 years old, I was made homeless by my dad. I had no family to turn to and I was just over a month away from sitting my A-Levels. Like most of the young people who find themselves turning to the YMCA for help, I was a good kid. I was set to get straight As and I really wasn't any trouble, I just didn't get on with my dad's girlfriend.

Without the YMCA, who knows what would have happened to me. I am so grateful every day for the support they gave me. Within a couple of days I had supported lodgings, help with filling in forms for benefits and emotional support. I was lucky to be going off to university a few months later, but that would not have been possible without the help I got.

Here I am, 13 years later, I've built a successful career and I own my own home. I've paid back every penny of benefits I needed at the time in taxes. I donate what I can to the YMCA, but I wanted to do something bigger, and working at Aviva means I get up to £1000 of match funding every year... so here we are.

I am living proof of the value of interventions for young people. If we give them support now, they've got a much better chance to turn their life around and succeed. They're more likely to be able to contribute to society. After a decade of austerity, Covid-19 and the cost-of-living crisis, there are more young people facing homelessness than ever. The YMCA have never needed more support.

If you can afford to part ways with some cash, please do! I think I booked to get the video of my dive, so you might get some fine entertainment for your donation...