Work colleagues mark VE Day 80 by jumping from plane

A  group of six work colleagues from Keele based Thea Pharmaceuticals have jumped from a plane to raise money for our blind veterans.

Thea is now in its tenth year of supporting our charity. The group of colleagues wanted to take on a challenge this May to mark the 80th Anniversary of VE Day and to remember and celebrate blind veterans who took part in the Second World War as well as those who have served since. 

Over the years, Thea colleagues have raised money for us in a variety of ways including bike rides, bake sales, marathons and even donkey walking raising a total of £63,000. For some of those who took on the VE Day Skydive it was the first time they had braved the descent from a plane. Each participant has their own thoughts on completing the challenge:

Navneet

“This May marks the 80-year anniversary of VE Day – the end of the Second World War. It’s easy to forget the significance of these events when you weren’t alive to see it for yourself, but it’s because of the sacrifice of so many men and women at that time, that we can live the lives we do today. So, I thought, what better way to show some support than by taking a dive out of a plane!"

Maria

“The skydive represents overcoming fear and pushing boundaries. It’s a powerful metaphor for the challenges faced by those with sight loss and the courage they show every day. This was an incredible opportunity to challenge myself and to show my support for Blind Veterans UK. 
 
“Stepping out of the plane and facing that fear of falling definitely pushed me out of my comfort zone. However, the adrenaline and the cause we are supporting kept me focussed and motivated.  
 
“My time working with Thea and interacting with Blind Veterans UK has really opened my eyes to the daily challenges people with sight loss face. It’s not just about the physical impact; it affects independence, mental health, and the ability to connect with the world around them.” 

Over the last 10-years, many of the employees of Thea have had the opportunity to meet veterans supported by our charity and to see first-hand how the money they have been raising is used.  

Helen 

“I’m in the administration team at head office and regularly talk to customers who have issues with eye health and sight. Supporting Blind Veterans UK has given me such a good understanding of how people manage their lives with sight loss and cope with everyday tasks and meeting the veterans is so inspiring.
  
“I’m excited to be taking on this challenge beside my work colleagues and to be able to support and encourage each other. It’s going to take a great deal of courage; I hope we raise a good amount of money for the charity.”  

Louise

Louise has an added personal reason for wanting to show her support to a sight loss charity:

“I saw an opportunity to combine Blind Veterans UK’s passion for supporting veterans with their sight loss with my long-time dream of skydiving and enthusiastically signed up for the challenge. 
 
“My auntie lost her sight as a young adult and although she’s not a blind veteran herself, I do understand the importance of the support the charity offers. It’s an incredibly worthwhile charity and I was very much looking forward to taking on this challenge to raise money for them while coming together as a team to face our fears.” 

Rajesh

Rajesh has completed two skydives previously. 

“Even though I’ve completed two jumps before, the excitement and nerves were still be there.

"On this jump I passed through a cloud and a rainbow which was such an amazing experience - when I went through the cloud, the air was colder and damper and you could tell you were in it."

Victoria, from our Community Partnerships team, says:

“Our relationship with Thea has grown in strength over the past ten years and hasn’t only been about fundraising. We have also seen staff volunteering with our veterans and supporting campaigns such as our annual Gift a Wreath campaign, which provides wreaths to be laid during Remembrance, and now our VE Day Campaign which has aimed to ensure this important date is celebrated and remembered. 
 
“We are privileged that an organisation that understands only too well the impact of sight loss has chosen to champion us.”

Team Thea is aiming to raise a minimum of £10,000 during 2025 for our charity - £1,000 for every year of their involvement with the charity. 

Their skydivers are hoping to raise as much as possible to help reach this target: