Jumping into Adulthood for DEBRA: Fighting EB with Every Foot Freefall

Hi, I’m Kaylie from Stockport. Yes, for my #BETheDifference (: and 18th birthday) challenge, I’m jumping out of a plane.

Not just for the thrill… but for something much deeper. I’m skydiving to raise money and awareness for DEBRA, a charity that’s incredibly close to my heart.🦋💙

For the past few years, I’ve volunteered at my local DEBRA charity shop, and it’s become more than just a place to help out. It’s where I’ve built real connections with people who care. It’s where I’ve come to understand what a loving community looks like.

DEBRA supports people living with Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB), a rare and devastating skin condition where even the slightest touch can cause painful blisters and wounds. People with EB live every day in pain. That’s why DEBRA works so hard to research for a cure and to support EB patients and their families for life.

I don’t have EB, but I’ve lived with eczema growing up, and while it doesn’t compare, it taught me to never take a healthy and pain free life for granted. That small glimpse made me feel deeply connected to DEBRA’s mission.

As I step into adulthood, I’ve been thinking a lot about what kind of person I want to be. The answer is simple: someone who never stops caring, never stops helping, and never stops being brave (even and especially when it’s hard).

This skydive is terrifying, but it’s nothing compared to what people with EB face daily. I want this jump to be a reminder:
🔹 A reminder that EB exists, and we cannot look away.
🔹 A reminder that compassion should always lead us.
🔹 And a reminder to myself, for the rest of my life, to stay courageous and committed to the people and causes that matter.

So please, if you’re able to, donate to support DEBRA and this challenge. Every pound helps fund care, support, and hope for those living with EB.Let’s make this more than a skydive. Let’s make it a symbol of what it means to care deeply and act bravely.
Let’s #BETheDifference 💙